David Warner will miss the final T20I against New Zealand in Auckland due to an adductor injury, but he is expected to return for the start of the IPL next month.
Warner sat out the second match on Friday, which was always expected to be a rest game as Australia rotated their options throughout the series.
“Warner will require a brief recovery period which is not expected to affect his availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League leading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the Cricket Association said in a statement.
The recovery time is estimated to be between seven and ten days.
Warner’s bilateral international career has ended after missing the series’ final match, with the upcoming T20 World Cup in June marking his final retirement from Australia duty. He scored 32 off 20 balls in his first game in Wellington before being booed off the field by the home crowd. He mentioned the crowd behavior on the 2016 tour at the start of the show.
Warner’s absence should give Steven Smith another chance at the top of the order as he looks to secure a spot in the World Cup squad. He scored 11 off 7 balls in the second T20I, including an incredible scooped six, before being pinned LBW by Lockie Ferguson’s first delivery.
Even if Smith is selected, it appears unlikely that he will start at the World Cup, with Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh expected to be the top three.
Matt Short, who played the first match in Wellington but was not required to bat or bowl, will most likely play again. Marsh could be rested ahead of the Test series, leaving Matthew Wade to lead the side.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are also expected to sit out Sunday’s game after playing the first two. Mitchell Starc and Spencer Johnson would be their replacements.
