David Warner rises from the Ashes in First Test against Pakistan

David Warner faced more deliveries and made more runs at the Gabba on Friday than he did in 10 Ashes innings during the Australian winter.

Australian opener Dave Warner celebrates his first century in two years on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

David Warner faced more deliveries and made more runs at the Gabba on Friday than he did in 10 Ashes innings during the Australian winter.

And when he brought up his first century in two years, he celebrated with a leap that revealed the pressure he had been under.

The indomitable and controversial opener had come in from the cold. His previous hundred came at the MCG on Boxing Day two years ago; the wait for the next was extended by 12 months on the sidelines as a result of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Warner watched Steve Smith’s redemption from the dressing room balcony in England. His partner in the Cape Town controversy peeled off centuries and even earned the respect of English supporters in one of the more extraordinary individual efforts the game has witnessed.

On Friday it was Smith’s turn to watch Warner, who went to stumps on 151no, the Australian team 1-312.

Warner’s 22nd Test century was also his 40th in international cricket for Australia. Only Ricky Ponting (70) has more.

Warner and Joe Burns put on 222 for the first wicket before the Queenslander was bowled around his legs for 97. Marnus Labuschagne picked up where he had left off in England and was 55no when play ended.

The Australians have a 72-run lead over Pakistan with nine wickets in hand and could not lose the Test if they tried.

Warner, who was given one reprieve when caught behind off a no ball in the second session, said he never doubted himself despite a horror run in the Ashes. “I don’t feel under pressure at all,” he said when it was suggested he was.

“It’s about going out there and backing my ability. You get selected or you don’t get selected, you have to accept that. The Ashes for me was a failure, but I know what I am capable of doing. I was on the end of a great spell, a great series, by a very good bowler (Stuart Broad) and there was nothing more I could do. I wasn’t out of form, I was out of runs. Today I had a little bit of luck and that’s what you need in the game; over there I didn’t get much luck at all.”