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David Warner's desire to prove a point has seen him plunder runs at home and abroad during his 12-month ban stemming from the ball-tampering scandal.

David Warner's insatiable desire for runs and determination to prove a point have rarely been more obvious than ahead of his World Cup return.

Some 434 days after Australian cricket's darkest hour, Australian officials are expecting Warner to overcome leg tightness on Saturday to face Afghanistan in his first official game back since his 12-month ban.

In that time the left-hander has whacked more than 2200 runs at an average of 50 in everything from global Twenty20 leagues to Sydney Grade Cricket.

And he's only got more dangerous as he and Steve Smith's returns have neared.

Back playing in Sydney last summer Warner hit 909 runs at an average of 75.75 for Randwick-Petersham, before topping the charts with 692 runs at 69.2 in this year's Indian Premier League.

"He looked like he was playing Test cricket at times with us," Randwick-Petersham president and former Australian bowler Mike Whitney told AAP.

"Was he in that mode to say: 'I'm going to prove you all wrong'? Well probably. He's a scrapper. That was his motivation for him in the IPL.

"It was a huge motivation for him for people to acknowledge he is a world-class batsman. To say: 'I know I made a mistake and I'm trying to make amends'.

"I can't wait to see him go out and play in the World Cup, because he'll stamp his authority and say to people he's back."

Warner batted but didn't field in Australia's first training session in Bristol, but is not considered in doubt for Saturday's match.

Smith is also set to hit the tournament in form.

While Warner made an immediate point with runs all over the world, Smith spent time on technique and is only now beginning to re-find his rhythm.

The former captain hit 394 runs at 131.33 in Australia's six warm-up matches both at home and in England, including a century against the hosts on Saturday.

But Whitney said Warner has also taken valuable lessons from the past year, indicating he'd go back to being the reverend rather than the attack dog on his return.

"I think he's actually pulled his head in," he said.

"I think his time with Randwick-Petersham over the summer really gave him an opportunity to wake up from what happened in Cape Town.

"It really gave him an opportunity to get back with his family, play a bit of golf and have a look at his life.

"He might have said to himself: 'I'm 30-odd now and you don't know how long this will last. I better pull my head in and do what I do best and just bat.

"I would be surprised if you hear anything or misbehaviour. He knows if he goes over that line again, he is gone for good. He will never play for Australia again."