The Port Fairy export, who made his Sheffield Shield debut for South Australia on Saturday, is keeping his focus short and simple as he vies to build a career as a professional cricketer.

The early signs are good. Medew-Ewen's maiden first-class match, watched by his father, Brian, yielded three wickets including the prized scalp of former Australian captain David Warner.

But he's under no illusions of the work in front of him.

"I think red-ball cricket is my strength, the four-day stuff," he told The Standard.

"In terms of looking ahead I'd just like to finish off this season, hopefully play a few more games, and I'm not too sure in terms of what happens next year.

"I haven't looked too far forward. At the moment it's just about playing more cricket for South Australia."

Speaking on his debut, he said he "enjoyed every moment".

South Australia - which lost the match to New South Wales in the dying moments - called upon Medew-Ewen after a standout season at premier cricket level.

Medew-Ewen has claimed 26 red-ball wickets for Port Adelaide after crossing from Victorian Premier Cricket outfit Northcote in September.

"The build-up to it was great as well," Medew-Ewen said.

"It was great to be in that dressing room with some big players who've spent time playing for Australia.

"I did a session with the red-ball squad earlier in the week and one of the assistants told me I'd be in the squad. He wasn't sure if I'd make the final team but I knew I'd (be in the mix)."

Nerves were swirling throughout the first innings but settled after the 23-year-old, who finished with total figures of 3-165 off 39 overs, dismissed New South Wales number three Kurtis Patterson.

He then removed bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott, who was causing havoc for the Redbacks with a score of 71 from number seven.

Despite his solid start, lessons have been learned and Medew-Ewen feels better for the experience.

"I think the biggest thing is your margin for error is very small at that level," he said.

"I think it gets smaller and smaller as you go up the grades but (at this level) you have to be pretty much on the money with every ball.

"Being my first game too, I knew (New South Wales) would come pretty hard at me. The biggest thing is how accurate you actually have to be."

The wrist spinner, who replaced Lloyd Pope in South Australia's side, feels like his hard work and toil through premier cricket's lower grades is paying off.

"There's been lots of ups and downs," he said.

"I think my most played grade would be the thirds. I've played a lot of cricket in (premier) thirds and seconds. I had that one season of ones and it was a bit of a breakout season with Northcote.

"But there's been lots of challenges in the lower grades back in Victoria. It's been good (to get the chance)."

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