Explosive Australian opener David Warner admitted Tuesday he expects to suffer pain from a broken thumb for the rest of his career, but insisted it would not affect his batting.

The Test vice-captain sustained the injury when he got in a tangle trying to play a Steven Finn bouncer against England during a one-dayer in September.

He has not played since but returns for New South Wales' day-night Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia starting Wednesday, ahead of the Test series with New Zealand which gets under way on November 5.

"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," Warner told reporters.

"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."

The left-hander will wear a splint on his left thumb while fielding against South Australia but said he expected the injury to be 100 percent come the first Test next week.

"Everything is very positive at this stage," he said.

"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 healed.

"You are never worried about getting hit, the thing about cricket is you always have to go in there with a positive frame of mind."

If he proves his fitness, Warner will open against New Zealand with a new partner following the retirement of Chris Rogers.

Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Ed Cowan and Shaun Marsh are all seen as in the running.
Source: AFP