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Warner refocuses for tri-series battle

Vice-captain all set for green-and-gold return after leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to IPL glory

Despite being the toast of the cricket world after captaining his Indian Premier League franchise to the ultimate success last week, David Warner will happily take a step back now that he's returned to the Australian team.

But the star opener knows he still has an important leadership role to play as the Aussies look to extend their lead as the world's No.1 ranked one-day team.

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Warner's captaincy and batting in his Sunrisers Hyderabad's title-winning campaign in the IPL underlined a growing maturity he's displayed since he was named Steve Smith's deputy following the retirement of Michael Clarke last year.

While the 29-year-old's performance in India is no threat to the tenure of Smith – one of the best players in the world who has been near flawless since he took over as captain – it has sparked calls from the likes of former Australia skipper Ian Chappell for Warner to relieve Smith of his leadership duties with the T20 side.

And on Wednesday, Warner's regular opening partner Aaron Finch said the left-hander was ready to take on the most prestigious role in Australian cricket, should he be required.

WATCH: Finch on Warner's captaincy potential

But speaking in Guyana ahead of Australia's one-day international tri-series opener against the West Indies on Sunday, Warner refused to buy into talk of him one day captaining the national side.

"That's very kind of Aaron to say that, but I'd prefer to answer those questions if something was to arise," said Warner, whose IPL commitments meant he arrived in the Guyanese capital Georgetown on Tuesday, a day later that his teammates.

"I'm under Steven, he's the captain and he's the best person to do that job and he's been assigned that by the (Cricket Australia) Board.

"So that's for us to totally respect and I'm hoping he never gets injured. I'll just have to wait for that opportunity."

But that doesn't mean Warner, whose natural aggression with the bat and in the field has rubbed off on his captaincy, will go into his shell during this series.

WATCH: Aussies splash about in wet Guyana

In a reversal of his approach to Australia's tour of the Caribbean 12 months ago, when the opener made a concerted effort to temper his aggression on the field and "quieten down" off it, Warner says he will remain vocal and proactive during this series.

And he also dismissed concerns about his workload despite not having had the luxury of a break from the game that most of his teammates have enjoyed in recent weeks.

"My energy on and off the field, trying to get the guys moving in the right direction, that goes a long way," he said.

"And I know when I come back to the Australian team, I know my energy is the key to a lot of our success as well.

"When the guys are up and about, it moves the team in the right direction. And we have a lot of guys who have that ability to get everyone up and going."

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While it won't trump an Ashes series win or a World Cup victory for his country, Warner was rightfully proud of his achievement in leading the Sunrisers to their maiden IPL title.

Not only was his inventive and aggressive captaincy crucial to his side's success, he also led the way with the bat, finishing the tournament as the second-highest run scorer and posting a match-winning 93no in the elimination final and 69 in the final.

"It was very overwhelming," Warner said of his side's late charge to the title, which saw them win the final three games of the tournament.

"I always knew I had the ability to lead from the front and I had to try and start the team off to a good start, like every team I'm involved in.

"But to be captain and lead an IPL franchise to a victory, it was emotional.

"I can stand here today and hold my head high that I was able to point the guys in the right direction and have them buy into the way we wanted to play.

"It's taken a couple of years for the Sunrisers to do that and this year caps it off."

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And Warner's watershed campaign impressed a man who looms as a major obstacle to Australia's chances on this tour, South Africa skipper AB de Villiers.

"Davey had a fantastic tournament," de Villiers said before his Proteas take on the West Indies in the series opener on Friday (3am Saturday morning AEST).

"I've got a lot of respect for him as a cricketer and the way he's played over the past few seasons.

"He's matured a lot, he's shown that now (by) captaining an inexperienced Sunrisers team and winning the tournament. Lots of credit has to go for him for a fantastic tournament.

"Hopefully he won't have as good as tournament this time around, but congrats to him."