David Warner has conceded he will always have to deal with lingering pain from a thumb broken by Steven Finn earlier this year.



Warner makes his return from the injury suffered in an ODI against England in September for NSW’s opening round Sheffield Shield match against South Australia starting at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

Speaking at Sydney Airport on Tuesday as NSW prepared to fly out to Adelaide, Warner said he was still in some discomfort and was likely to have the pain throughout his career. But the 28-year-old said that was part and parcel of cricket.



“I think I got hit against India in Brisbane on the same thumb last season as well and the pain is always going to be there,” Warner said. “It is about me getting through that pain. You speak to any wicketkeeper in the world – they are playing with broken fingers so I am not complaining at all.”

Warner said he would wear a splint on his left thumb while fielding but said the injury, which still appeared slightly swollen, would be 100% come the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba starting Thursday week.



“Everything is very positive at this stage,” he said “Unless I cop another one on the thumb while I am practising or batting out in the middle that is the only thing that will hinder my selection for the first Test.

“Two weeks ago the doctor said to me come three or four days before the first Test it should be completely healing. You are never worried about getting hit, the thing about cricket is you always have to go in there with a positive frame of mind.”

Warner wouldn’t be drawn on his preference as an opening partner in Brisbane following the retirement of Chris Rogers. Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Ed Cowan and Shaun Marsh are the likely contenders.



“I’m not a selector, for me it is about having someone at the other end I can trust as I have done with all the other partners that have come before,” he said. “It is disappointing to lose Chris but it is another opportunity for another young player to come along and put his hand up for selection and leave their legacy behind as well.”