The David Warner Experiment

We first came across David Warner a few years ago when he smashed the England bowlers all over the park in a five over, six-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.

So we weren't that surprised to see him just a few months later handing out similar punishment to South Africa in his T20 debut for Australia when he scored 89 from just 43 balls.

Given his struggle in stepping up to the 50 over format - Warner has an average of 21 from 10 ODI at strike rate of just 78 - and the fact that he wasn't picked for the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales until recently, it seemed that Warner was the first T20 specialist to emerge on the international stage.

So we were surprised to see Warner's name in the Australian squad for the 1st Test with New Zealand at the Gabba. Picking Warner seemed a wild punt by Australia's selectors and suggested that they have a real paucity of opening batsmen - although Ed Cowan is one name that comes to mind - to replace the injured Shane Watson.

We said something to that effect on Twitter and were gently referred to Warner's first-class average of 60, albeit from only 11 games and with a top score of 211 made against the terrifying Zimbabwe A bowling attack.

Warner's dismissal today suggested that he may struggle to adapt to Test cricket. Tim Southee is hardly Dale Steyn or Chris Tremlett, but Warner could not cope with a well directed short delivery and tamely gloved the ball to Reece Young behind the stumps after seemingly being unable to drop his wrists.

It would be unfair to judge Warner on just one innings at the highest level, but we would hazard a guess that Warner's Test career will be a short, stuttering and rather brief affair - a bit like a game of Twenty 20 in fact.

Where next?

Who will be the Lovers & the Shaggers of the World T20?

2nd Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

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Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

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Comments

[Lolly]

Can't judge anyone on one innings. Not even Warner.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Agreed Lolly and I did say that, but he doesn't even look close to a Test batsman to me. He actually makes Phil Hughes look like one!

[Seagdype]

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