Emotional: David Warner looks to the heavens as he reaches his century on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images

David Warner sat with his head in his hands last Friday, his mind "nowhere" but genuinely contemplating whether he would play this Test.

He lasted "two or three balls" on Saturday against the net bowlers then took throwdowns. It's unlikely any Australian batsman faced fewer balls of pace bowling in preparation for the first Test, though Warner has made a mockery of the adage that you "train as you play".

Brothers in arms: Michael Clarke and David Warner embrace after Warner reached his century on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images

After completing the 10th and what he described as the most cherished Test century of his career, Warner said he was still battling demons arising from the circumstances which claimed the life of his dear friend Phillip Hughes.

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He said "the demons inside me got me out" on 145 though heat and tiredness were also to blame. But he had clearly progressed a long way since picking up his bat last week.

"The first net session I walked out of, I was nowhere," Warner said. "I went out and bowled to the guys, I felt like I had to do something and I didn't just want to linger around and soak in the emotions. I went and faced the net bowlers the next day, I think I lasted two or three balls then I went and had throwdowns. It's one of those things where you have to keep soldiering on and doing your best."

As relieved as he will be to have taken the first step back, there will be more hurdles for Warner to overcome when the Test series rolls into Sydney.

"Walking out on to the SCG, where it all unfolded – that's going to be the toughest task for me and probably the other guys that were there as well," Warner said.

Although he began like a bull at a gate, it belied the apprehension Warner was feeling as he walked out just minutes after the emotional tributes to Hughes.

He was comforted in the race by Dr Peter Brukner, who has repeatedly reassured the players Hughes' death was the result of a freak accident and would not be repeated.

India's quicks showed little sympathy, testing him with a string of bouncers – all of which he evaded, earning warm applause from the crowd.

Reaching 63, Hughes' score in his last innings, was unsettling emotionally. "In this generation it is going to be with us the rest of our lives and the rest of our careers," Warner said.

And it provided another reminder of the perceived danger they were under. "The hardest point for me was when I was on 63, it was such a horrific incident and a rare incident, at the back of my mind even though a spinner was bowling being on that number wasn't right, I just wanted to get past that and move on," Warner said.

First he had to step aside, take a few deep breaths and, after some encouraging words from Michael Clarke, regather his composure.

Getting on the field was Warner's proudest moment of the day but the fans will long remember his special innings on such an important occasion for Australian cricket.

Warner was uncertain if it would be appropriate to celebrate his century but wanted to "keep jumping" for Hughes. "I think 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.

"I just had a gut feeling my little mate was down with me the other end the whole time from ball one. He'll be up the other end laughing at me about all the support and the people that have sent their messages down to him. I don't think he would have believed himself the amount of support that he had not just from around Australia but around the world. He'll probably be quite embarrassed actually."