Australia v South Africa 2008-09

At Melbourne, January 11, 2009 (floodlit). Australia won by 52 runs. Toss: Australia. Twenty20 international debuts: D. A. Warner; L. L. Tsotsobe, V. B. van Jaarsveld

	David Warner set the MCG alight in his first international game © PA Photos Enlarge
Related Links Tour and tournament reports : Australia v South Africa 2008-09 Players/Officials: Jean-Paul Duminy | David Warner Matches: Australia v South Africa at Melbourne Series/Tournaments: South Africa tour of Australia Teams: Australia | South Africa

David Warner, a 22-year-old 5ft 7in left-hander, walked out to open the batting as the first man since John Hodges and Tom Kendall in the first Test of all in March 1877 to represent Australia without having played a first-class match. By the time he returned 64 minutes later, Warner was less a debutant than a one-man circus. His 43-ball 89 featured six sixes, all clubbed baseball-style in the arc between mid-on and fine leg, plus seven fours, and completely flummoxed the South Africans.

The innings brought genuine excitement to a summer that had previously been characterised more by local failures than successes, turning Warner, for better or worse, into an instant celebrity. The Australians lost their way somewhat following his dismissal, but still had more than enough runs to defend once South Africa slipped to 12 for three in the face of pace and swing from Bracken, Tait and Hilfenhaus. Duminy's rearguard 78 (which included a scooped six off Tait over the wicketkeeper's head) was almost as impressive as Warner's effort, without being anywhere near as conspicuous.

Man of the Match: D. A. Warner