David Warner to have lucrative UAE stint cut short by Australian selectors

David Warner’s plans to mix being a T20 gun-for-hire with one last tilt at international glory have hit a roadblock which could cost him part of a lucrative contract.

David Warner will be forced to cut short his lucrative UAE stint after Australian selectors made it clear they expect him to be available for all the national side’s Twenty20 internationals in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

While the opener has retired from Test and one-day international cricket — though leaving the door ajar to playing in next year’s Champions Trophy — Warner remains contracted to Cricket Australia and wants to be part of the tilt to win the T20 title in June.

David Warner announced as the captain of the Delhi franchise, Dubai Capitals in ILT20. pic.twitter.com/Lg0GO4p2Dl

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 31, 2023

Australian selectors expect David Warner to cut short a lucrative stint in the UAE. Picture: Mark Brake-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

The Aussies have a three-match T20 series against the West Indies following Tests and one-dayers against the same opponents, and while the squad for the shortest of the three formats has not yet been unveiled, national selection chair George Bailey flagged Warner’s involvement despite it clashing with part of the ILT20 league where Warner is signed with the Dubai Capitals.

“He’ll be part of those T20 matches at the back end of the summer and in New Zealand (later in February) as well,” Bailey said.

“I think that’s the same with all our Australian contracted players if they’re going to be selected in a squad then they’re available (to play), and if they’re not then (whether they get released to play overseas) depends (on) what sort of domestic cricket responsibilities they have,” Bailey said.

David Warner in the field at the last T20 World Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“So I think Bull (Warner) had flagged (T20 leagues) as potentially one of the reasons why he has made the decision to retire from one-day cricket but (we’re) still really excited about what he can provide to that T20 team and hoping he can add one more major trophy to his cabinet.”

Warner will head to the UAE once his involvement with the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League is completed.

As flagged by this masthead, paceman Lance Morris was named in the one-day squad to face the Windies. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis was omitted, but Bailey denied that a line had been drawn through the West Australian’s name in the format.

Originally published as David Warner to have lucrative UAE stint cut short by Australian selectors