Australia opener David Warner will prioritise the T20 league over national duty in the upcoming tour of West Indies as he is likely to remain absent from the white-ball series after playing his last Test match in Sydney next week.
Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is against West Indies between February 2 and 13. As per the deal with ILT20 franchise Dubai Capitals, the left-handed batter is committed to play in the tournament that will run from January 20 to February 18.
After playing his last Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Warner will play for Sydney Thunder in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). His participation in the finals is still unclear if Thunder qualifies.
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Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Todd Greenberg his participation in the ODIs and T20Is against West Indies is unlikely due to his prior commitments to franchise cricket.
"I think the short answer to that is probably yes. I know he's pretty committed to the BBL. There's no doubt in the next phase of Dave's life he's going to be looking to ply his trade where he gets the best return on his investment. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, in fact I'm encouraging him to do that," ESPNcricinfo quoted Greenberg as saying.
"There will be times where he'll be looking to miss certain games and tours. That's the sort of flexibility we've got to get our heads around. Some people won't like that, but that's the modern world of which we're living in and we have to embrace it," he added.
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Warner's participation in ILT20 over national duty will be a rare sight in Australian cricket history. According to ESPNcricinfo, the selectors had long intended for Warner and other key players to miss the series against the West Indies.
However, the intention is to choose a full-strength squad for T20Is in New Zealand in preparation for the World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States in June, with Warner anticipated to be a part of it. The opening game of that series will be played in Wellington on February 21.
After the conclusion of the title-winning ODI World Cup campaign in India, Warner had said he would opt out of Australia's central contract to give himself flexibility for T20 leagues around the globe.
"I won't be taking a contract, definitely not. How the system works in Australia is that if you play five [T20] games or ODIs, or three Tests, you get upgraded and then you're legally bound by contracting system with sponsors and stuff," Warner said.
"That's something that becomes a bit of a pain in the backside, especially at my stage of my career. So I don't want to be signed to that agreement and that's something I have to think about moving forward, because if you're going to get a low contract, it's going to cost you a lot in the long run with sponsorships," he had added.