Travis Head has delivered a perfect first audition to be David Warner's opening partner for Australia's ODI World Cup campaign.
The Test No.5 got an opportunity at the top of the order in Australia's comfortable six-wicket win against England at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
Replacing retired former ODI captain Aaron Finch, Head (69) batted with ease as the 28-year-old and Warner (86) put on a blazing 147-run opening stand.
It was familiar territory for the pair, as Head paired with Warner five years ago when Finch was out of the team.
On January 26, 2017, Head and Warner scorched Pakistan's bowlers at the Adelaide Oval to put on a 284-run stand - the highest partnership in Australia's ODI history.
Head was dropped from Australia's ODI team in 2018, having to wait almost four years for another opportunity when he was recalled to play in the middle-order against Pakistan in March.
Warner is hopeful Head can cement his spot ahead of the World Cup in India next October.
"I think we both play quite similar, we take the game on," Warner told reporters on Thursday.
"We like to go aerial, that's the way we play.
"It's coming off at the moment, which is great and hopefully we can continue that success."
It was a vintage Warner innings but the 35-year-old fell just short of scoring his first international century since January 2020.
The powerful left-hander is laser-focused on the World Cup and big Test series in India and England next year.
Warner last week indicated he could retire from the Test arena after the Ashes, but is determined to play as long as possible in the shorter formats.
"The goals are winning World Cups," Warner said.
"We've got a World Cup next year then in four years time when I'll be 41.
"My goal at the moment is to get to that World Cup, play as well as I can, and go from there."
