Australia's David Warner back in action after broken thumb

Australia vice-captain David Warner will test out his thumb on Wednesday ahead of next month's Test series against New Zealand.

Warner broke his thumb during the tour of England and has not played since, but he is due to feature for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia in Adelaide.

The 29-year-old admitted he was still suffering some discomfort in his thumb and expects it to continue for the rest of his career because of previous damage he has suffered.

But Warner is keen to get back playing, and said: "It is about me getting through that pain. You speak to any wicketkeeper in the world - they are playing with broken fingers so I am not complaining at all.

"I think I got hit against India in Brisbane on the same thumb last season as well and the pain is always going to be there.

"Unless I cop another one on the thumb while I am practising or batting out in the middle that is the only thing that will hinder my selection for the first Test.

"Two weeks ago the doctor said to me come three or four days before the first Test it should be completely healing."

Warner is taking over as captain Steve Smith's understudy in Test matches and he is one of few remaining batsmen in the Australia side with a decent level of experience, Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson all having retired since their Ashes defeat.

Warner would not be drawn on who he expects to open the innings with, but former partner Rogers feels the place should go to Joe Burns, ahead of main competitors Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja.

"Joe has been around for a little while and Cameron has had one good season," Rogers said. "I'd like him to start off the season and do well again and then show it is not just a one-off.

"Burns played in the Test summer last year, was unlucky not to get into that Ashes squad, and now there is another chance for him to come back in. For me, there is a pecking order, and he's the next one."