RoastedLinuxBe Warned South Africa: David is coming
January 12th 2009 00:10
Debutant David Warner clubbed the second-fastest Twenty20 international half-century ever as a new-look Australia side defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the MCG.
Warner, who is yet to make his first-class debut, had the home fans in frenzy as he smashed 89 off only 43 balls.
He spearheaded Australia's charge to 182 for nine before the Proteas, aided by 78 from 48 balls from the unflappable Jean-Paul Duminy, were dismissed for 130.
The Proteas were unable to recover after losing wickets in each of their opening three overs as Australia bounced back from their Test series defeat earlier this summer.
And it was Warner, only the third Australian in 158 years to represent his country before making his first-class debut, who stole the show with his man-of-the-match performance.
In just over an hour, Warner smashed six sixes and seven fours to be the owner of the joint fifth-highest Twenty20 international score and third best by an Australian.
He also posted the sixth-fastest international half-century in all forms of the game with his 50 coming off just 19 balls.
Only Yuvraj Singh has hit a faster half-century in Twenty20 internationals than Warner, reaching the mark off 12 balls against England in Durban in 2007.
Warner's heroics enabled Australia to set a challenging run chase despite losing seven wickets for 42 runs in the final 38 balls.
Not only did he upstage several of his more decorated team-mates, including Test captain Ricky Ponting (21), Warner showed no respect at all for several members of the Proteas attack.
Test stars Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn were all in the destructive path of the New South Welshman.
His square cut off Kallis which beat gully and point was straight from the text book, while his six off Steyn's bowling, which roared some 25 rows into the stands, lifted him past 50.
Indeed the Australian selectors will be lamenting their decision to leave Warner out of their one day outfit for the four match series against the South Africans.
Judging by his innings last night, Warner has the capabilities to be a tremendous match winner for the Australians.
Its astounding to think that Warner is yet to play first class cricket for NSW, considering the skills he showed with the bat last night.
But after his entertaining knock, it is only a matter of time now that Warner establishes himself, possibly in the Indian Premier League, as one of the most devasting batsmen in Cricket worldwide.
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