‘Excited’ Bailey expects Warner to pick West Indies T20Is over ILT20

David-Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Australia’s selection chief George Bailey anticipates David Warner’s availability for the upcoming three T20Is against the West Indies in February, despite a scheduling clash with his commitment as captain for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 tournament. Although Warner retired from Test and ODI cricket, his dedication to the T20 World Cup remains unwavering, scheduled for June in the Caribbean and the United States.

Warner, aiming to feature in the ILT20 commencing on January 19 faces a dilemma as the tournament extends until February 17, overlapping with the West Indies series from February 9 to 13. Initially presumed to skip the T20Is to honour his ILT20 commitment, Bailey disclosed Australia opener’s expected inclusion in the West Indies series, implying his presence on the field.

The Sydney Thunder’s conclusion in the BBL without securing a spot in the final’s spares Warner from a direct fixture clash. Despite this, his return for the subsequent New Zealand series starting on February 21 seemed uncertain, but Bailey’s announcement hints at the 37-year-old’s active participation in the West Indies fixtures. Warner’s cricketing prowess is poised to grace the international stage once again, pending formal selection for the imminent clashes against the West Indies.

“He’ll be part of those T20 matches at the back end of the summer and in New Zealand as well. 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. If they’re not then it depends on what sort of domestic cricket responsibilities they have,” Bailey said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“So, I think [Warner] had flagged that 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 for that T20 team and hoping he can add one more major trophy to his cabinet,” he added.

Players’ lack of similar earnings paves way for franchise commitments

Bailey and Cricket Australia’s national teams head, Ben Oliver, oversee NOC decisions, consistently evaluating cases individually. T20I-exclusive players without central contracts, like Matthew Wade and Tim David, were permitted to skip recent international series to honour franchise commitments, preserving contracts they might forfeit by playing for Australia. This exception was due to their lack of similar earnings apart from CA match fees, reflecting the board’s flexible stance on player engagements with franchise leagues.