Former Australia skipper Tim Paine stated that he has heard rumours of the team management trying out David Warner at number four in the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is slated to begin on October 5 in India. In the ODI series against the Men in Blue earlier this year, Warner batted at number four while the team preferred Travis Head to open alongside Mitchell Marsh. Paine expects something similar to happen this time around as Australia are gearing up for the mega tournament.

When it comes to the southpaw, Warner has hit seven half-centuries in previous 16 appearances for Australia in ODI cricket. Despite so, the team management considering changing his spot is quite unusual but Paine clarified the reason behind it. He mentioned that the team wants a quick start and hence, they prefer Marsh and Head to open the innings and he totally understands and supports the decision.

“Now that’s something I have heard,” Paine said of Warner batting at four as quoted by India Today.

“It’s going to be imperative to get off to really fast starts and right now, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are our most explosive players. I think Warner can come in at no.4. He’s a good player of spin, he’s fast between the wickets, he’s also got power and can control the innings. So I like having him in the middle order in those conditions. And I have heard that from a few people, that it’s certainly been talked about,” Paine mentioned.

The former cricketer also believes that the team should play two pacers along with Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green in the upcoming ODI World Cup. He mentioned that the team doesn’t need an extra pacer and hence, they can find a room for Marnus Labuschagne.

“I can see us playing two quicks with Cam Green, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell all playing,” Paine added. Meanwhile, Australia will be facing South Africa in a three-match series up next and a lot of things will thus come to light.