Who will replace Warner?

David Warner’s omission from the upcoming triangular one-day series in Zimbabwe has opened the door for a top-order batsman to stake his claim ahead of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and Warner made up the bulk of the top six in Australia’s last ODI series against England at the backend of the summer, leaving a spot available should coach Darren Lehmann rest or blood players in Africa.

Here are five contenders for Warner’s temporarily vacated position.

Phil Hughes
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Last ODI: v India, November 2013
Stats: 20 matches, 660 runs, average 36.66, 2x100
The first, and only, Australian to make a century on ODI debut, Phil Hughes remains on the outskirts of national selection. A drop in form saw him miss out against England following the Ashes, and with Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh making the most of their opportunities, Hughes appears to be on the outer, if only by the smallest margin. At his best he’s devastating through the off-side and strong on the on. A straight left-handed swap for Warner, Hughes could be the man heading to Harare.

Cameron White
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Last ODI: v Bangladesh, April 2011 Stats: 87 matches, 2,037 runs, average 35.12, 2x100
The 2013-14 RYOBI One-Day Cup player of the tournament, Cameron White has credits in the bank. His return to form last summer, where he was Victoria’s best player across all three formats, demanded a national call-up and was duly rewarded with World T20 selection. Brutal when he’s accelerating, the poise shown early in an innings by setting up his stay then launching , much like Andrew Symonds discovered in 2003, has delivered his best season to date. A terrific leader, handy leg-spinner and water-tight fielder, White’s experience and all-round game at the highest level gives him an edge.

Callum Ferguson
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Last ODI: v Bangladesh, April 2011
Stats: 30 matches, 663 runs, average 41.43, 5x50
Callum Ferguson is the case study for how cruel professional sport can be. A middle-order lock up until 2009 when a serious knee injury in the Champions Trophy final halted his momentum. At that stage Ferguson was looming as a Test batsman, but injury and a long return to form quashed those dreams. A recall in 2013 to India signalled he’s still on the selection radar, and his strong finish to the Bupa Sheffield Shield season could see him back in the green and gold.

Nic Maddinson
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Uncapped
Stats (domestic): 35 matches, 926 runs, average 28.93, 5x50
Still only 22, if it feels like Nic Maddinson has been around for ages it’s because he has. Making his first-class debut at the age of 18, Maddinson became the youngest player to score a century on debut for New South Wales. Since then he’s played every season, filled out his frame and found a power game that’s scary at best. His destruction of Ireland and Gloucestershire on Australia A’s tour of the British Isles in 2013 was witnessed by future coach Darren Lehmann, and following that tour earned his first cap for Australia in the lone T20 international against India. A left-hander with all the shots, Maddinson is a player for the future ready for the present.

Steve Smith  
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Last ODI: v England, January 2014
Stats: 34 matches, 399 runs, average 21, 0x50
The man last been seen in an ODI outfit, Smith’s record might look a little cold. But rest assured, there’s no hotter batsman around (except maybe Warner). Unlike his recent Test streak, Smith hasn’t been given a solid run in the 50-over team, batting all over the order, facing a different scenario each time he marks centre. A Test record that’s only getting better shows he can handle international cricket, and if you’ve seen any of his IPL 7 action you’ll know he’s in imperious form. More a middle than top-order batsman, Smith would take any opportunity thrown his way. And the form he’s in, who’s to say he wouldn’t excel.