A short-handed Australia called on a national selector and backroom staff to make up the numbers in a T20 World Cup warm-up match – and still easily beat Namibia.

Veteran opening batsman David Warner led the way in Trinidad on Tuesday following a poor IPL by his high standards.

Despite having four support staff deployed as substitute fielders at one stage, Australia restricted the team ranked 14th in the world to 119-9 at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

Warner then punished the Namibians with an unbeaten 54 off 21 balls to guide Australia, who will be one of the favourites when the World Cup begins on Saturday, to a seven-wicket win.

Mitchell Marsh’s side only had nine of their World Cup squad because Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green are all enjoying time at home following the IPL.

In their absence, chief selector George Bailey – a 41-year-old former Australia captain – and 46-year-old fielding coach Andre Borovec initially took to the field after Marsh won the toss and decided to bowl.

They were joined by batting coach Brad Hodge and head coach Andrew McDonald when Marsh and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood spent time off the field.

Australia are expected to again be short of numbers for their second warm-up game, on Thursday against the West Indies.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Tama Stockley/cricket.com.au