Warner told he can’t chopper and change for Aussie T20 duties to avoid Dubai double-up
David Warner is set to have a second Australian farewell with the opener to fly back from Dubai to feature in next month’s Twenty20 series against West Indies.
Fresh off his Test retirement, Warner will be helicoptered in to play for the Sydney Thunder in Friday night’s BBL clash with the Sixers.
Due at his brother’s wedding in the Hunter region on Friday afternoon, Warner is expected to land in a helicopter at Allianz Stadium later that evening to play at the SCG.
The opener will feature in the last three regular-season games for the Thunder, before being cleared to play for the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 in Dubai.
The Capitals are owned by Warner’s IPL franchise, the Dehli Capitals.
It had initially been thought Warner could see out the tournament in Dubai and skip the T20s against West Indies, sparking the first serious club-versus-country debate in Australian cricket.
But chief selector George Bailey on Wednesday confirmed Warner would have to be back to play in the home T20s, which will double as his last internationals in Australia.
“He’ll be part of those T20 at the back end of the summer and the ones in New Zealand as well,” Bailey said.
“That’s the same with all our Australian contracted players. If they’re going to be selected in a squad then they’re available.
“If they’re not (selected), then it depends what what sort of domestic cricket responsibilities they have before they are cleared to play elsewhere.”
The T20s against West Indies in Hobart, Adelaide and Perth between February 9 and 13 will be Warner’s last internationals in Australia.
The 37-year-old last week announced his immediate retirement from one-day cricket, and confirmed June’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean would be his international swansong.
Under cricket’s rules, players must gain clearance via a no objection certificate (NOC) to play in another nation’s T20 franchise league.
Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed last month any NOC put forward by Warner would be considered by high-performance boss Ben Oliver and Bailey.
Bailey’s comments mean Warner will miss at least Dubai’s last two matches, as well as the finals of the ILT20.
The West Indies series was the only potential club-versus-country issue for Warner, with the away T20s against New Zealand and World Cup not clashing with any other leagues he is contracted to.
“We’re still really excited about what he can provide for that T20 team and hoping he can add one more major trophy to his cabinet,” Bailey said.