It’s made him a millionaire but there’s no way David Warner would emulate some of his West Indies opponents by choosing Indian Premier League cricket over his Australian duties.
The Windies are likely to lose young spinner Sunil Narine and veteran batsman Marlon Samuels in the upcoming three-Test series against Australia to the IPL, which starts a week before the first Test in Barbados on April 17.
But Warner, an IPL regular, says he’d never choose to play the lucrative Twenty20 tournament if it meant he had to miss an Australian fixture.
“Definitely not. My goal as a kid was to get the baggy green and I’m here at this moment opening the batting,” said Warner, who made his Test debut in December against New Zealand.
“I’m trying to take my opportunity and trying to cement my place there. I’m 100 per cent Test cricket over IPL any day.
“They’ve (West Indians) got to make their minds up on what they want and what they’re benefiting out of it – if it’s money, then it’s money.
“It’s their choice.”
Warner’s more immediate concern is guiding Australia to victory in the fourth one-dayer in St Lucia on Friday.
With the series locked at 1-1 after Tuesday’s tie in St Vincent, Warner had a first look at the Beausejour Stadium wicket for Friday’s match and he liked what he saw after the slow and spinning pitches in St Vincent.
“It looks similar to the WACA with that nice shine and a bit of grass,” Warner said.
“It’s probably not going to come through as much as the WACA does, though. A fantastic venue here and the outfield is outstanding as always.”
Australia have made two changes for the match with Nathan Lyon and Dan Christian making way for Peter Forrest and Ben Hilfenhaus.
Lyon replaced Forrest for the third ODI in St Vincent but, with the St Lucia wicket not expected to provide as much assistance to spin, selectors have recalled the Queensland batsman.
Hilfenhaus will play his first match of the tour in place of Christian in further evidence Australia believe the St Lucia wicket will be quicker and bouncier than St Vincent.
The West Indies are yet to announce their team but one change is already known after opener Adrian Barath replaced Kieran Powell in the squad for the last two ODIs.
The diminutive Trinidadian should be well known to Australia after making a century on Test debut in Brisbane in November 2009.
Friday’s game begins at 9.30am (12.30am Saturday AEDT).