IN WHAT is a potentially ominous sign for Scotland, Australia opener David Warner has been musing about the batting benefits of the current fielding restrictions.

The current World Cup is the first to be played with a maximum of four fielders outside the circle, and scoring rates have soared as a result.

Totals of 300 are becoming commonplace, with South Africa topping 400 twice and Australia themselves boasting a record 417 for six against Afghanistan, during which Warner blasted 178.

They could conceivably top that against Scotland, who shipped 363 against Sri Lanka, and Warner admits the removal of one boundary rider has helped batsmen post larger scores.

“Four fielders outside the circle makes a massive difference and I think it adds an extra 30 to 50 runs to the totals,” Warner said yesterday ahead of Saturday’s final Group A match in Hobart.

“I don’t know if they (the ICC) are making it five players outside the circle after the World Cup but if they do I think you’ll see those totals reduced a fair bit.

“That extra player makes a massive difference to your individual scores and your team totals.”

Warner believes his side have been further boosted by a change of role for all-rounder Shane Watson.

Having had a poor run of form at number three, he was dropped for a match before returning against Sri Lanka at number six.

Watson clubbed 67 from 41 balls and Warner was delighted to see the move pay off.

Scotland, seeking an unlikely first World Cup win, have seen their campaign overshadowed latterly by the unseemly fall-out with their most experienced player Madjid Haq.