David Warner closed the door on any doubts over his Ashes Test spot by blasting 104 for NSW on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.

NSW reached 4-252 at tea on Thursday’s second day at the MCG to grab first-innings points after the home side were bowled out at stumps on day one for 236.

Warner, who scored three hundreds in last month’s one-day domestic competition in Sydney, belted 16 boundaries in his classy 87-ball knock against a Victorian attack led by Test paceman Peter Siddle (1-48).

After averaging just 23 in three Ashes Tests in England earlier this year and scoring 21 and 15 in last week’s Shield opener against Tasmania, Warner made a welcome return to form at first-class level ahead of the Gabba Ashes Test on November 21.

Test captain Michael Clarke (43) and Warner shared a crucial 104-run stand in 78 minutes for the third wicket after the Blues had been 2-59.

Warner, whose cracking pull shots were matched by his full-blooded cover drives, reached his century off 84 balls with 15 fours.

But after an innings of measured aggression, Warner lost his cool three deliveries later, caught at mid-on after playing a loose pull shot at a wide ball from Scott Boland.

Clarke was out 12 runs later as the hard-working paceman John Hastings (2-34) claimed his second wicket of the day, removing the skipper lbw.

Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed struggled to land his leggies and the Test hopeful returned figures of 0-73 off 13 overs as Steve Smith helped himself to six fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 51 off 83 balls.

Smith and Peter Nevill (31 not out) have added 77 for the sixth wicket, guiding the Blues to first-innings points.

Opener Nic Maddinson (three) was caught behind off a short ball from Siddle and Scott Henry (13) chipped a catch to deep square leg at 2-59.