David Warner was always set to open for Australia at World Cup once available reveals Justin Langer

Australia coach Justin Langer reveals that playing David Warner at first drop in some warm-up matches was simply to keep people guessing when he had long made up his mind over his openers.

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David Warner was never going to bat at No. 3 with Usman Khawaja always destined to be sacrificed as Aaron Finch’s opening partner at the World Cup.

Coach Justin Langer said Warner’s breakthrough century against Pakistan signalled that “he was back” as assistant Ricky Ponting backed him to score the most runs in the tournament, a feat achieved by only one Aussie — Matthew Hayden (2007).

David Warner celebrates reaching his century against Pakistan at Taunton.

Langer wanted to confuse rivals by batting Warner at No. 3 in warm-up games against New Zealand and West Indies, but it was decided well before the first game against Afghanistan that Khawaja would make way.

“I tricked you, didn’t I?” Langer said.

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“We knew that the combination of Aaron and Uzzie has been so good but we also know that Davey’s a world class opener and without being silly, it was nice to have everyone guessing where he was going to be batting.

“It was nice to keep everyone guessing coming into the tournament.”

The Herald Sun reported that Warner had been locked in as opener eight days before the first game, and Langer confirmed that 48 hours out.

Aaron Finch and David Warner were always going to open the batting for Australia in England.

While Warner looked slow and scratchy in his first three innings — he appeared to turn from a hare into a tortoise — Langer praised all four of his comeback matches.

“He has done an unbelievable job for the team in all games we have played so far,” Langer said.

“It was great to see him get his hundred. You saw how emotional he was and how much it meant to him. It meant a lot to all of us as well.

“You can see in his eyes how determined he is to be back playing for Australia. When you score a hundred, it is almost like there is no better feeling in the world.

“Only he can only explain how he felt, but for us if you score a hundred it’s almost like, righto, I am back, I am back.”

Langer said Warner did not have to win the respect back of his teammates.

“Everyone knew what he has been through the last 12 months,” he said.

“He has always had respect as a player. He is a really good young bloke and he has come back with a smile on his face, he is fit, and he had respect as soon as he came in.”

Usman Khawaja has been asked to play a different, more adaptable, role in the team.

But Langer warned the runs weren’t certain to roll on.

“It’s a fickle game. You never want to mess with ‘Mother Cricket,” Langer said.

A furious Warner marched into the dressing room after holing out with 73 balls left in the innings against Pakistan, shortly before Australia lost 6/30 in seven overs.

“That doesn’t surprise me (he was angry),” Langer said.

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“It was a really very frustrating last 15 overs. We had a perfect platform and went a bit away from our game plan there.”

Ponting told Cricket Network that Warner’s “handbrake was off” after lacking fluency early.

“If he keeps playing like that … he’s probably going to be the leading run-scorer,” Ponting said.