SYDNEY: Australia opener David Warner will play for New South Wales against South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match from Wednesday as he strives to prove his fitness for the first cricket Test against New Zealand.

Warner hasn’t played since September 5 when he suffered a broken thumb in a one-day international against England. While he has batted in the nets, his appearance for New South Wales in the day-night match at Adelaide may determine if he plays for Australia in the first Test at Brisbane from November 5.

Australia captain Steve Smith will lead a New South Wales lineup including Test bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.