Warner called back for ODI debut

David Warner will play his first one-day international on Sunday after being picked to replace Michael Clarke, who was ruled out of the South Africa series with a thumb injury. Warner starred with a breathtaking 89 in the opening Twenty20 and was kept as cover for Clarke before being sent home to Sydney on Thursday when the vice-captain appeared to recover from a problem sustained during the Perth Test.

Clarke played in the three-wicket loss to South Africa at the MCG, but the injury got worse and was told to rest for two weeks. Alex Kountouris, the team physio, said Clarke experienced pain while making 19 and it was the first time since hurting his right thumb that he had performed without an injection.

"While Michael could continue to play with pain-relieving injections, this will ultimately slow his recovery," Kountouris said. Clarke will now look towards the five-game series against New Zealand starting next month.

While Warner's promotion for the second match in Hobart is a personal highlight, it means he will not be able to help New South Wales, who are in contention for a spot at the lucrative Champions League Twenty20, in their match against Victoria in Sydney on Saturday night. "It presents an exciting opportunity for David to follow his spectacular Twenty20 debut in the 50-over format for Australia," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said.

Warner will provide a quick solution to Australia's opening situation after Michael Hussey was promoted to partner Shaun Marsh in Melbourne. Marsh compiled a cautious 79 off 97 balls while Hussey, who has become used to life in the middle order, was out for 6 in the third over.