A diminutive and dangerous opening batsman, David Warner exploded onto the international scene in 2008-09. His breathtaking effort of 89 from 43 balls in his Twenty20 debut against South Africa at the MCG was all the more remarkable as he was the first man to walk out for Australia before playing first-class cricket since 1877. His call-up had been a surprise and it capped off an eventful couple of months in which he also earned an IPL contract with Delhi Daredevils and a deal to use a two-sided bat. The rewards had come after he began the summer in dynamic fashion with a then New South Wales one-day record of 165, and followed it with 97 from 54 balls in the FR Cup, proving his success was not a one-off. His 390 runs in that competition came at a strike-rate of 129 and an average of