Australian vice-captain David Warner proved his fitness for the first Test against New Zealand with a successful comeback from injury on Wednesday.
Warner, batting for the first time in a game since suffering a broken left thumb early last month, made 77 for NSW against South Australia in the day-night Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.
The opening batsman spent three hours at the crease and grew in fluency with every minute.
Warner reeled in pain when struck on the thumb by an Adam Zampa legspinner but otherwise showed little discomfort from the injury in a 114-ball innings punctuated by seven boundaries.
The left-hander was scratchy early, and was gifted a reprieve on 21 when Mark Cosgrove dropped a sitter of a catch at first slip from Joe Mennie's bowling.
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But Warner's timing and placement improved the longer he spent at the crease, before being dismissed when attempting an expansive drive from SA captain Travis Head's offspin and being caught at cover.
Warner was returning from an injury sustained on September 5 when struck by a delivery from England quick Steve Finn in a one-day international.
Watched by Australian coach Darren Lehmann, Warner is now assured of selection for the first Test against the Kiwis starting on November 5 in Brisbane.
Australia will announce its first Test squad on Friday.
