Alex Doolan says he was heartbroken to fall just short of scoring a century on Test debut.

Doolan was dismissed for 89 when Australia batted South Africa out of the opening Test by dominating the third day in Centurion.

“It was tough going but to fall so short (of a hundred on debut) was a little bit heart-breaking,” Doolan said.

“The first one (Doolan’s 27 in the first dig) was full of nerves. I can’t really describe how I was feeling.

“The second one I had to really guts it out against a pretty vicious attack on a wicket that’s up and down with some cracks.”

Had the Tasmanian posted a ton, he would have become the third Australian – alongside Bill Ponsford and Shaun Marsh – to score a century on debut batting at No.3.

But given the quality of the Proteas’ attack, Doolan wasn’t about to complain about his impressive first-up performance in the baggy green.

“It was very tough. Morne’s quite tall and tends to hit the wicket very hard and we all know how classy Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are,” he said.

“It’s been very, very tough but very enjoyable at the same time.

“Even before playing this game. Being selected on the tour, you pinch yourself about being selected for Australia. I’m living the dream at the moment.”