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Finch ready to waltz with Warner

David Warner is fond of red, but finds white just as palatable.

When Warner switches to the coloured clothes and plays his first Twenty20 international in six months on Sunday, expectations will be high in Port Elizabeth.

And that’s just from his opening partner Aaron Finch.

“My first instinct is just get off strike, let him face as many balls as he can and hit them as far as he can,” Finch told AAP.

This from the man who crashed a T20 world-record 156 against England last year.

Warner returns to the format he first made his name in as a 22-year-old who smashed 89 on international debut against South Africa.

Warner had yet to play a first-class game. The prospect of him slaying the world’s No.1 Test side throughout a series was unthinkable.

Now the 27-year-old is in career-best form, having score 1066 runs at 71.06 in his past eight Tests.

“He’s batting as good as anyone in the world at the moment,” Michael Clarke declared after Warner’s two centuries in the Test series decider at Newlands.

Warner is one of four Test players that will spearhead Australia’s T20 World Cup tilt that starts in Bangladesh on March 23.

To prepare for that event, Australia now play three T20 tune-ups against a side captained by Faf du Plessis.

Warner is unlikely to stop niggling du Plessis, but more important to the result of the match will be his an all-out assault alongside Finch in the first six overs of Australia’s innings when fielding restrictions are in place.

“He’s probably gone from a guy who could dominate attacks and could win games for you, to a guy who just does it now,” Finch said.

“Regardless of the attack. Regardless of the conditions and the wicket, he’s dominating.”

Finch suggested Warner’s transformation from T20 slugger to Test superstar was an inspiration.

“I’ve been lucky – or unlucky – to know Davey for about 15 years now. We grew up playing all our junior cricket against each other and with each other,” he said.

“He’s gone from strength to strength.

“To anyone that comes into an Australian team in the shorter formats, he’s definitely an inspiration.”

AAP

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