In a week marked by superb debut performances, David Warner's dashing half-century in the first Twenty20 International against South Africa at Melbourne has earnt him the Cricket World® Player Of The Week award.

Warner, still to play a first-class match, smashed 89 from 43 balls, in the process setting up Australia for a 52-run over South Africa and most of his seven sixes cleared the boundary rope at the MCG by some distance, marking himself down as one to watch for the future.

It also marked a refreshing change in attitude from the selectors, who were prepared to gamble on a Twenty20 specialist and a man in form and they, as well as Warner, were handsomely rewarded with a scintillating performance.

In any other week, New Zealand's Martin Guptill might have won the award for his unbeaten 122 on his ODI debut against the West Indies or Wasim Jaffer's triple-century for Mumbai against Saurashtra might have got a look in, but they were outdone by 22-year-old Warner, who was playing in only his 11th representative Twenty20 match and 21st representative game in all.

Other contenders for the award included Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and South Africa's JP Duminy.

The Cricket World® Player Of The Week award is decided by the editorial team on Monday of each week and to have your say, to visit our forum.

© Cricket World 2009