David Warner has blasted faster centuries, perhaps more important ones and even a bigger score at Test level.
But given the circumstances, Warner rated Tuesday's knock of 145 at Adelaide Oval his finest.
"This is probably going to be the best of my career," Warner said.
"Hopefully I can score some more but I think that's going to stick with me for the rest of my life."
The question on everyone's lips at Adelaide Oval when Mohammed Shami took the new ball was how Australia would fare in their first session following the shock death of Phillip Hughes.
Warner delivered a prompt and definitive answer, as Shami and Varun Aaron fluffed their lines early and gave the pugnacious left-hander too much width.
He lashed six boundaries in the opening three overs, unleashing cover drive after cover drive while racing to 32 off 15 balls.
"The adrenaline was pumping and I slowly gained back that momentum and pulled it in a little bit," Warner explained.
Those scurrying for the record books were wasting their time - this was not to be the fastest half-century or century at Test level.
But Warner could hardly be accused of plodding - he was 77 at lunch, 131 at tea and finished with a strike-rate of 88.95.
It was vital one of Australia's batsmen built a big score after Michael Clarke won the toss and gave them first use of a pristine pitch.
Warner was up to the task, holding sway as Chris Rogers and Shane Watson were dismissed edging and Clarke limped off the ground.
Warner was cursing himself for picking out Ishant Sharma in the deep, handing debutant legspinner Karn Sharma his first Test scalp.
But the 28-year-old walked off to a standing ovation from the Adelaide Oval crowd for his mental strength as well as his runs.
Warner rushed to Hughes' aid when he hit the ground a fortnight ago.
He didn't leave his former Test opening partner's side until Hughes was taken to hospital for emergency brain surgery.
Hughes died two days later, his final knock finishing 63 not out.
"I just had a gut feeling my little mate was down with me the other end the whole time from ball one," Warner said.
DAVID WARNER'S TOP SCORES AT TEST LEVEL:
* 180 v India in Perth, Jan 2012
* 145 v India in Adelaide, Dec 2014
* 145 v South Africa in Cape Town, Mar 2014
DAVID WARNER'S STELLAR 2014:
* 7 Tests, 13 innings
* 959 runs at 73.76
* Five centuries, three half-centuries.
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