Cricket: David Warner reveals ODI future after big innings against England

David Warner has flagged Test retirement and now given an insight where his ODI future lies.

David Warner of Australia and Travis Head blasted the English bowlers. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

David Warner knows he’s closer to the end than the beginning so is putting a premium on delivering when it matters for Australia and “winning World Cups”.

The veteran opener conceded he felt early on it was “going to be one of those tournaments” when an early dismissal in the opening match of the T20 World Cup was the first in a series of failures.

Much like his team, Warner failed to fire as the defending champions were eliminated before the semi-finals, registering just 44 runs in four matches after being playing of the tournament just 12 months earlier.

But he was back to his best in Adelaide on Thursday night, smashing 84 in a 147-run opening stand with new opening partner Travis Head as the Aussies destroyed world champions England, albeit without some first-choice players.

Warner, 36, said it was the start of the lead-in to what he conceded would probably be his final one-day World Cup in India next year, and beyond that tournament his future in the format was unclear.

Having already declared he could finish his Test career after next year’s Ashes in England, the timeline would suggest 50-over cricket may follow.

“The goals are winning World Cups,” Warner said after Thursday’s win.

“We’ve got a World Cup next year, then the next one is in four years time when I’ll be 41. I don’t know if I’ve got that long left in me.

Travis Head formed a formidable partnership with David Warner. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“It will be time for the next generation of players, (Head) is one of those players. It’s about giving them opportunities to cement their spot in the team and have that goal and aspiration to play in that World Cup.

“Who knows, I might have a second wind?

“But my goal at the moment is to get to that World Cup, play as well as I can, and we’ll see from there.”

The partnership with Head, who was given first crack to replace retired Australian captain Aaron Finch, was something of a back-to-the future moment.

In an Adelaide ODI in 2017 against Pakistan, the duo put on a 284-run stand – the highest partnership in Australia’s ODI history.

While Warner stayed at the top, Head had a rollercoaster ride in the one-day team from that period until he was dropped before the 2019 World Cup.

But Warner is hopeful Head, who shares similar batting qualities, can cement his spot ahead of the World Cup in India next October.

“I think we both play quite similar, we take the game on,” Warner said. .

“We like to go aerial, that‘s the way we play. Anything short we try and punch, pull. That’s our style of play.

“It‘s coming off at the moment, which is great and hopefully we can continue that success.

“For us it’s about winning every game leading in, getting some momentum, making sure we have the right team they want to go with.”