Warner blasts his way into record books

David Warner has become the third man to pull off one of Test cricket's greatest solo feats for a third time.

Warner backed up his 163 in the first Test against New Zealand with a quick-fire knock of 116 on Saturday in Australia's second dig at the Gabba.

The pugnacious opener is making a habit of it, last year he posted twin tons against South Africa in Cape Town then India at Adelaide Oval.

Ricky Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar are the only others in the history of the sport to craft a century in each innings of a Test on three separate occasions.

"We always set out to try and break records as a team," Warner said.

"But personal milestones ... (they are) the little rewards you do for the sacrifice that you make away from the game, all the hard work you put into preparation."

Warner noted a first-innings ton was always a healthy dose of self-belief for any batsman.

"When you're on top in the first innings you get to go out like today and play the way you want to play, with all the confidence in the world," he said.

"You get that opportunity to go back to back.

"It'd be a different story if we were behind the game.

"You've still got to get in, knuckle down, see the first session out and see the bowlers off and play your game."

Even by Warner's standards, it was an audacious knock on Saturday.

On 76, he attempted to switch-hit a delivery from offspinner Mark Craig over the fence.

Australia's vice-captain missed.

He tried another switch-hit again on 88.

Craig fired it down the leg side this time but keeper BJ Watling missed the stumping.

Third time proved unlucky for Warner, the 29-year-old connecting with the ball but picking out Trent Boult in the deep.

"It's always in my mind as a scoring option," Warner said of the unorthodox stroke that he rarely plays in Test cricket.

"We were trying to move the game forward.

"I missed out twice so I thought I might try to clear the longest boundary possible."