Warner prepared for leading Australia

David Warner is all set to lead the Australian side during the limited-overs series against India in January

David Warner, the Australian vice-captain, who was named Steven Smith’s deputy after Michael Clarke retired this Ashes in July, is all set now to lead the Australian side. Owing to Steven Smith’s knee injury and a minor strain in his hip, Warner has been slated to lead the side against India in the upcoming limited-overs fixtures.

However, Smith isn’t doubtful for the Boxing-Day Test against West Indies set to begin on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Smith might be asked by the team medical staff to rest his body, keeping in mind the tour of New Zealand in February as well as the World T20 in March. Smith has been playing continuous cricket for more than a year now, and he first captained the side in Tests last year against India at Adelaide.

Warner, however, has expressed tenacity and commitment to the side’s requirements and is ready to lead the men onto the ground, should the need arise.

"Growing up, it’s just something you always want to do is play the game," Warner said.

"I don’t know if it’s luck or something you just get called upon to do as a young kid when you’re selected to just be the captain running out – whether it’s the football field or cricket field.

"It (captaincy) is not something you wish for, you just wish to be in that starting line-up (but) having that extra responsibility, it does feel good," he added.

The positioning of a stand-in captain hasn’t been something new for Australia as far as their recent past is concerned. Since January, they have had three different ODI captains at different stages – George Bailey, Michael Clarke, and Steven Smith.

If Warner leads the men in yellow out to the field on January 12, he would be the fourth captain to do so in less than a year.

Smith stood in for Bailey in January, as the Tasmanian was serving a one-match suspension, who was, in turn, leading the team while Clarke recovered from a hamstring injury.