World Cup 2019: David Warner cleared to play in Australia's opener against Afghanistan

Skipper Aaron Finch confirmed on Friday that Warner has been cleared to play, implying that Australia could open with their ever dependable opening duo of Warner and Finch for the opening game of the title defense in Bristol.

David Warner will feature in Australia's playing eleven in more than a year after passing a fitness test on a muscle strain that cast doubts over his participation in his team's World Cup opener against Afghanistan on Saturday. Skipper Aaron Finch confirmed on Friday that Warner has been cleared to play, implying that Australia could open with their ever dependable opening duo of Warner and Finch for the opening game of the title defense in Bristol. Finch, who took over the skipper of Australia's ODI team after Warner and ex-skipper Steve Smith were banned in March last year following a ball-tampering scandal, said the starting lineup hadn’t been finalized for the Afghanistan game. Warner and Smith were included in Australia’s unofficial practice matches against New Zealand, West Indies, England and Sri Lanka since rejoining the squad to prepare for the World Cup. Usman Khawaja, who partnered Finch at the top of the order in Warner’s absence, is likely to bat at No. 3 and Smith at No. 4. The bowling attack is still under consideration, with most speculation revolving around which seamer will support likely starting pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.