Warner returns to form with Gabba century

[Torrent Disney]

After a tortuous Ashes, David Warner marked his first innings of the Australia summer with an impressive century against Queensland at the Gabba.

Warner made just 95 runs in 10 innings against England and passed that mark with a handsome drive off Mark Steketee shortly before reaching his hundred from 179 deliveries by tucking a delivery off his hip through square leg. He removed his helmet, raised his bat to the dressing room and brought out a little leap of celebration.

Earlier this week national selector Trevor Hohns had stopped short of saying Warner's position in the Test was secure regardless of early-season form, but if there was any doubt whether he would be back at the Gabba next month for the first Test against Pakistan this innings has ended that debate.

He had done well to survive the previous evening against some demanding bowling and continued to have to fight hard on the second morning. He wasn't always secure - Gannon, who removed Smith for a duck the previous day gave him a working over from round the wicket with one edge falling just short of third slip - but Warner drove and cut strongly when the chance was offered.

When he brought up three figures he had scored almost two-thirds of New South Wales' runs in a match that had been dominated by the bowlers in the early stages.