After overcoming a groin injury that ruined his international summer, Warner top-scored for the visitors with 87 at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

The veteran opener scored at better than a run-a-ball to help steer NSW to 4-208 in just 29.1 overs after they had bowled out SA for a meagre 205.

The result gave Warner's international teammate and possible future Australia captain Pat Cummins two wins from as many matches as NSW skipper.

Warner opened the batting in his first match since Australia's Test series decider against India at the Gabba wrapped up on January 19.

The powerful left-hander blasted 13 fours and a six in his 74-ball knock but was eventually out when he skied a mistimed shot attempting to slog Spencer Johnson (1-52) over mid-wicket.

Twenty-year-old Oliver Davies followed-up last month's half-century on debut with an unbeaten 40 off 30 balls for NSW, including six boundaries.

Wes Agar (2-54) was SA's only multiple wicket taker and was also the most economical of their five bowlers despite coughing up 6.61 runs an over.

Earlier, Alex Carey anchored SA's innings with 99 off 114 balls but watched the rest of the top order crumble around him.

Captain Travis Head (29) and Callum Ferguson (14) were the only other batsmen in SA's top seven to get out of single figures.

Sean Abbott (3-30) picked up three wickets as the NSW bowlers spread the workload.

Ben Dwarshuis (2-37), Liam Hatcher (2-32) and Cummins (2-36) all did some damage as SA were bowled out in the 47th over.

The two teams meet again in a Sheffield Shield match starting on Saturday.

Australian Associated Press