Cricket: World Cup selectors can’t ignore David Warner

When selectors sat down yesterday to pick the World Cup XI there was no ignoring David Warner.

David Warner on his way to another half century for Sunrisers Hyderabad

When selectors sat down yesterday to pick the World Cup XI, a decision that will inform the contract list, there was no ignoring David Warner.

Overnight the banished batsman had notched another half century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, his fourth from six innings (including an undefeated century).

He is the leading run-scorer in the tournament by the length of the straight, averaging 87 and keeping good company on the journey with fellow opener Jonny Bairstow, who is the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer.

Two days earlier Steve Smith had shown he understands that timing is critical, bringing up his first half century since arriving in India.

Neither was in danger of being ignored for the World Cup but both will be anxious to see where they find themselves in the player rankings when contracts are offered.

Both were in the top four when they were banned and where they rank on return is a fascinating question. As both are three-format players, they have to be in the top 10 by virtue of the fact that few others can boast the same.

Pat Cummins will be the top-ranked player without a doubt, a position that was traditionally filled by the captain but captains of the past played three formats. Tim Paine is exclusive to the five- day format. Will he or should he rank above Smith, whose job he has taken?

Some argue the Smith and Warner bans should be treated as long-term injuries; others want them to start at the bottom and work their way back up.

It will be a nervous week for some, primarily Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb, as the consensus is one of those two will be left out of the 15-man World Cup squad.

“I’d love to be a part of it but who knows what’s going to happen over the next week,” Marsh said in Western Australia, when he was awarded the state’s male player of the year award. “It’s out of my control. I’m sure there’s going to be difficult decisions to make when you have Smith and Warner coming back into the team. There’s going to be players that are going to be unlucky.”

Josh Hazlewood is another who admits he is nervous given rumours that he may not walk straight back into the squad after being out injured, although it is hard to imagine how he could be left out.

Cricket Australia plans to name the 15-man World Cup squad, the contract list and the Australia A squad early next week.

Where mistakes have been made in the past by announcing the Ashes squad too far out, this year it will be delayed as late as possible.

The Australian revealed yesterday that those decisions would not be made until after the game between Australia A and “Australia” in England in late June.

The thought of Australia’s best 22 playing off for places in the big series is compelling.

Imagine the torrid time the batsmen will have if they are facing James Pattinson if he is pressing for a start and consider the heat that will be generated if he, Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins realise three into four does not go.

Glenn Maxwell has bypassed the IPL and got to England early. A World Cup certainty after good performances in India and the UAE, he has continued his good form, smashing 82 off 45 balls in his first match for Lancashire against Loughborough.

Matthew Renshaw was in the squad for the last Test series but did not play a match.

The opener is making his presence felt by playing for Kent, but did not get off to a good start in the first game, while Marnus Labuschagne, who is an incumbent Test player, is playing for Glamorgan. Cameron Bancroft missed the first game for Durham but will play the second.