Contrasting captains take diverging routes

One is unflappable on the field, a fitness fanatic and a family man who cherishes time with his kids.

The other is a relentlessly driven leader who wears his heart on his sleeve and hates being away from the game.

David Warner's role as stand-in captain of Australia's Twenty20 side has provided another reminder of the contrasts between him and incumbent skipper Steve Smith.

The 31-year-old has thrived in his latest leadership stint with victories over England and New Zealand booking Australia a spot in next week's tri-series final in Auckland.

Warner's transformation from young firebrand to chilled-out father has been well documented and earned him the moniker "the Reverend".

And judging by the praise of his teammates, his new-found inner harmony appears to have found its way onto the field - even though his recent form has been below his best.

"With Davey, he's just really calm; quite unemotional; gives a lot of responsibility to the bowlers to set the fields," batsman Marcus Stoinis said on Wednesday in Auckland.

"If things don't go your way, he moves on pretty quickly so you don't feel too much pressure out there.

"It's just 'this is the plan - let's do it. If it doesn't work, let's re-adjust and go again'."

The only player to represent Australia in all three formats this summer, Warner will be a late arrival in Auckland after being given a short break to spend time with his family.

Smith, who on Monday was rewarded for his incredible batting feats with his second Allan Border Medal, will leave for South Africa on Thursday with the Test squad.

Noting that he "hates resting", the freakishly gifted batsman admitted the gruelling summer schedule had taken its toll on him.

But he insisted he's not ready to give up the T20 captaincy full time.

"I’m comfortable at the moment, obviously it’s been a while since I played a T20 international — I think about two years — hopefully I’ll be available in the next year or so," he said.

"I was really tired at the back end of those one-dayers ... (my mind) was in a completely different place and a place that I didn't entirely enjoy, to be perfectly honest.

"But these last couple of weeks have been really good, just being able to refresh.

"I actually want to pick up a bat now."

Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series

First T20I Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets. Scorecard

Second T20I Australia beat England by five wickets. Scorecard

Third T20I Australia beat England by seven wickets. Scorecard

Fourth T20I New Zealand beat England by 12 runs. Scorecard

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21

Australia squad: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler.