Warner poised for ODI role

David Warner burst onto the international scene with 89 from 43 balls in the first T20

David Warner is on standby to continue his extraordinary rise to prominence in Australia’s one-day series against South Africa.

The 22-year-old made a stunning impact in his first game for Australia, despite not having any first-class experience, smashing 89 off 43 balls in the first Twenty20 international between the sides.

And with vice captain Michael Clarke nursing a thumb injury, Warner is next in line for a shot at the 50-over game when the series begins in Melbourne on Friday.

In 10 one-day matches, Warner has an average of 52 at a strike rate of 117.5, so the attraction of going with him is clear.

And fellow batsman Mike Hussey said the selectors could not afford to ignore the explosive youngster.

"He has certainly just got to be in the selectors' minds after a performance like the one we saw in Melbourne," Hussey said.

"I mean, that was just phenomenal batting. So he will definitely be in the mix.

“I just hope people don't put too much pressure on the guy. He's just a young guy who enjoys playing in an exciting way and he knows how he wants to play, which is a good start.

"Hopefully it's a long journey for him. I'm sure there are going to be lots of ups and downs, like every player, but he plays an exciting brand and I hope he can continue to play in that sort of mould."

Clarke had his injured right thumb assessed by a specialist in Melbourne today but a final decision on his fitness will not be made until after tomorrow's training session.

Definitely out of contention is paceman Peter Siddle.

Mike Hussey does not want there to be too much pressure on Warner if he makes his ODI debut

The injury-prone seamer has a stress fracture in his foot and will miss at least the first two ODIs, with swing bowler Ryan Harris called up in his place.

South Africa left-arm bowlers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell got their first taste of international cricket in the Twenty20 matches, as did left-handed batsman Vaughn van Jaarsveld, and all will hope to continue in the 50-over games.

Despite the Proteas’ recent victory in the Test series, their coach, Mickey Arthur, still believes they are the underdogs going into the one-dayers.

He said: "[Australia] start the one-day series as favourites, there's no doubt about that, but I would be very disappointed if we were just there to make the numbers up.

"We've come here to compete and we've come here to do well.

"I see this as a major challenge, I really think this one-day series is going to be really exciting for myself and my coaching staff to see where we are at and see what we've got and what we can develop through to 2011."

Proteas captain Johan Botha, standing in for injured skipper Graeme Smith, struggled during the Twenty20 matches to keep his bowlers up with the required over rates and twice received fines from the International Cricket Council.

The off-spinner does not expect to encounter similar problems again.

"The match referee came to me before the game and told me one of our bowlers took three minutes from the end of the previous over to bowl their first ball in Melbourne," he said.

"That's something we have to sharpen up on."