Warner faces Aussie quicks at SCG nets

When Australia pace pair Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins needed a batter to bowl to in the SCG nets on Sunday, suspended Australian opener David Warner answered the call.

Fresh from making a rapid 49-ball 81 for Randwick-Petersham in a T20 match against UTS North Sydney earlier in the day, Warner faced the wrath of two of Australia's premier quicks as they continue their preparations for the first Domain Test against India.

Bowling with new red Kookaburra balls, Hazlewood and Cummins were operating at full pace against Warner and had the left-hander jumping around his crease.

Hazlewood, in particular, troubled Warner with his trademark probing line and length, often beating the bat and finding the edge on a few occasions.

The fast-bowling duo didn’t hold back, dropping the ball in short and whizzing balls around Warner's helmet.

Standing in the umpire's position just hours before Australia’s Gillette T20 INTL against India at the SCG was national coach Justin Langer and he was joined by bowling coach David Saker, who applauded the efforts of his speedsters.

While Warner and Steve Smith still have four months left to run on their year-long bans from international and Australian domestic cricket, the pair have been playing NSW Premier Cricket and training with NSW Blues at Moore Park during their suspensions.

On Sunday, Warner was training in Blues kit with his Randwick-Petersham helmet firmly strapped on.

Australia’s T20 captain Aaron Finch arrived at the nets just as Warner and the fast bowlers were finishing up, the skipper looking glad to be not facing the firing Blues quicks.

When the session wrapped up, Warner and Cummins shared smiles and a warm embrace before Warner shook hands with the bowlers and support staff.

It was confirmed last week that Warner, Smith and Cameron Bancroft will see out the full term of their suspensions after a proposal by the Australian Cricketers' Association to have the bans reduced was rejected by the Cricket Australia Board.

While Cummins and Hazlewood prepare for the opening Domain Test of the summer with the red ball, fellow paceman Mitchell Starc is expected to be bowling with a white ball in tonight's final T20 international after being called up to replace injured Queensland quick Billy Stanlake.