NSW opener posts a century in his first innings since the Ashes to give the Blues the edge against Queensland in Brisbane
Match Report:
ScorecardWarner's drought-breaking ton puts NSW on top
Test opener David Warner has backed his imposing record on home soil to hold him in good stead this summer after he shrugged off his Ashes woes with a century in Brisbane.
Warner scored a sparkling 125 in an innings that featured 18 boundaries, his 29th first-class century putting NSW in a position of strength in their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.
NSW ended day two at 9-288, an overall lead of 135 after Queensland were rolled for 153 on Thursday.
The Blues were struggling at 3-14 before Warner dragged them out of trouble.
Nick Bertus (53) also played an important hand, but it was Warner's knock that was the biggest talking point.
Warner endured a disastrous Ashes campaign in which he averaged just 9.5 with the bat, but his form in his first match since returning from the UK will be a huge relief for national selectors.
His knock was finally brought undone by Test teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who produced a sharp-turning leg-spinner to trap the star opener plumb lbw.
"I felt good. It's just great to be home and refreshed," Warner said.
"I honestly only picked up a bat three days before we came here. For me, I know my game so well in Australia.
"I know I'm on when I'm back-foot punching, when I'm playing my little pool shot as well.
"So knowing that and playing that out there today, I was very pleased about that.
“I know at home that I’ve got a great track record and you trust your game plan. That’s all you have to do as a cricketer.”
Fifteen of Warner’s 21 Test hundreds have come in Australia and he averages almost 60 in Tests at home compared to 34.50 away.
His rescue mission on Friday came at a perfect time - not only for NSW but also himself as he attempts to hold onto his Test spot.
The 32-year-old became the first batsman in Test history to be dismissed for single figures eight times during one series during a disastrous Ashes campaign.
It was also the lowest return for an opener playing all 10 innings in a five-Test series.
But Warner's big knock against Queensland looks certain to secure his spot for the start of Australia's Test summer, which begins on November 21 against Pakistan in Brisbane.
Queensland XI: Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Heazlett, Charlie Hemphrey, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Cameron Gannon, Billy Stanlake.
NSW Blues XI: Daniel Hughes, David Warner, Steve Smith, Moises Henriques, Nick Larkin, Nick Bertus, Peter Nevill (c/wk), Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Trent Copeland, Harry Conway.