Warner still in dreamland

David Warner is keen to avoid being pigeon-holed as a one-day specialist after his debut heroics

David Warner was still pinching himself today after smashing 89 off 43 balls on a spectacular debut for Australia against South Africa.

The left-hander, whose clean striking on the domestic circuit for New South Wales saw him rushed into Australia’s Twenty20 side before playing a first-class game, registered the second fastest half-century in Twenty20 history against South Africa at the MCG.

He raced to 50 off just 19 balls, paving the way for Australia’s 52-run victory, although he admitted he is still struggling to come to terms with his amazing entrance to international cricket.

“It's still a dream - I haven't woken up yet,” he said. “Hopefully it all sinks in tonight and I can get ready for tomorrow night.”

Speaking in Brisbane ahead of the second Twenty20 international at the Gabba tomorrow, Warner revealed he has received some sound advice from his more experienced colleagues about coping with the attention that has inevitably followed such an exhilarating debut.

“They just said, 'You've got to try to kind of erase it out of your mind, especially after today'," he continued.

"They said, 'Soak it up and just make sure it doesn't affect your cricket and make sure you're back on the park tomorrow'.

"They are a great bunch of blokes. I didn't know what to expect when I first walked into the changing room, but they're all so welcoming and great fun to be around and I'm just loving the moment.

"I had a good night out last night and now I'm concentrating on tomorrow night's game."

Warner's performance in Melbourne has prompted calls for his inclusion in the one-day series against South Africa, but the 22-year-old played down his chances.

"My hopes aren't too high,” he said. “I was over the moon to get the call for these two Twenty20s - that's just an amazing experience for myself. I'll play tomorrow night and go back and play for New South Wales.”

Warner may have secured an Indian Premier League contract with the Delhi Daredevils, but he is wary of being labelled a one-day specialist; he is targeting a place in NSW’s Sheffield Shield team and a spot in the Australia Test side.

He added: “As a kid growing up, you want that baggy green. Obviously I've got to get the baggy blue first and hopefully that comes soon and I can show what I can actually do instead of being pigeon-holed as a Twenty20 player.”