David Warner's comeback half-century leads New South Wales charge

David Warner made a stylish return to action with a thumping 87 off 74 balls in his first outing since the Test series against India in mid-January as New South Wales cantered to victory with more than 20 overs to spare.

Having been sidelined by a groin injury which he has said will continue to affect him for some time to come he pummeled the South Australia attack at Adelaide Oval after the home side had been rolled for a significantly under-par total with only Alex Carey's 99 giving them something to bowl at.

Warner was soon into his work as New South Wales raced ahead of the asking rate and brought up his half-century from 46 deliveries. As he and Ollie Davies charged towards the winning post it looked as though it would be a race between the target and Warner's hundred before he spliced high into the on side looking for another boundary.

Davies, who made a half-century on debut against Victoria last month, unfurled his strokeplay again including three fours in a row off Spencer Johnson in another entertaining innings.

South Australia, who collapsed to lose a high-scoring match at the WACA two days ago, made a poor start after batting first with both openers gone inside four overs. The in-form Travis Head started a recovery but when he missed a big drive at Sean Abbott the innings fell away to 6 for 137.

Carey played superbly and alongside Corey Kelly carried the Redbacks towards a position where they might have had a late push in the closing overs, but when he edged Liam Hatcher behind one short of his century the last four wickets fell for 14 with 3.3 overs unused.

The two sides will meet in the Sheffield Shield starting on Saturday when New South Wales will have Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood available.