Warner scored a sparkling 125 in an innings that featured 18 boundaries.

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 a meagre 9.5 with the bat.

But his form in his first match since the Ashes will be a huge relief for national selectors.

Warner's knock was finally brought undone by Test teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who produced a sharp-turning legspinner 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.

"We knew we had to grind it out there, they (Queensland) took some early wickets yesterday.

"We needed one big partnership and we were able to do that. It was great to be able to do that and contribute."

Warner's rescue mission 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.

Australian Associated Press