Warner ruled out of tri-series.

   David Warner has been ruled out of the rest of the One-Day International tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean after fracturing his left index finger, Australia skipper Steven Smith confirmed on Monday.

Opening batsman Warner, who tormented South Africa with a fine century in Australia’s 36-run win over the Proteas in St. Kitts, on Saturday, has been the kingpin in Australia’s batting line-up on what have been difficult batting wickets in the West Indies and Smith admitted that Warner’s absence will be a blow for his team.

 However, he is confident that Warner, who injured his finger in the match against South Africa, will be fit for the upcoming test series against Sri Lanka.

“I think he is out for the tri-series, but I think that that most important thing from my aspect is that he is fit for the test series, I think it is about six weeks away before the first test. I think the medical staff and Davey are confident that he will be ready for the first test,” Smith told a news conference.

“It’s always tough missing a player like Davey. He is in the form of his life at the moment and had been batting beautifully. It is obviously a big loss for us. He has played beautifully at the top of the order on some difficult wickets for batting. I think there will be a bit of an onus on the player coming in and the guys in the top four to try and get the job done. There have been some quite slow wickets in the series so far. It is about adapting and trying to get in. It might take a bit longer than usual but once you get in you need to cash in,”

Australia’s selectors have yet to decide if a replacement player will be called up to the touring squad but it is likely that Usman Khawaja will be elevated in the batting line-up to open with Aaron Finch.

   Australia currently top the table on nine points, four points ahead of second-placed South Africa with the West Indies a point back.

The Windies and Australia square off in St. Kitts on Monday, June 13 and Australia legspinner Adam Zampa feels that a win against the hosts will all but guarantee Australia a place in the final.

“It’s a nice spot to be in on the ladder at the moment. Obviously coming up is a pretty important match against the West Indies. If we win that it will probably go a long way to getting into the final. We’ve been bowling pretty well as a unit. We were a bit disappointing with the bat in Guyana but that can happen on wickets like that but we have been bowling pretty well and we can take confidence from that,” said Zampa.

South Africa’s next match in the tournament is against the hosts in St. Kitts on Wednesday, June 15 and they will want to return to winning ways after a disappointing batting collapse in their last game handed victory to Australia.