David Warner of Australia celebrates his triple century against Pakistan in Adelaide on Saturday.

Aussie skipper Tim Paine has drawn flak for his decision to declare his side's innings and deny opener David Warner a crack at Brian Lara's world record test score.

Paine pulled the pin with Warner unbeaten on 335 at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, prompting former Aussie players Brett Lee, Mark Taylor and Shane Warne to question the decision.

West Indies great Lara, who was at the ground watching Warner's knock against Pakistan, slammed 400 against England in 2004, a mark which was under threat when Paine declared at 589-3, and Warner punishing the tourists' attack.

Lee told Fox Cricket Warner should have been given a chance by Paine to chase the record, after going past Sir Don Bradman and Mark Taylor's scores of 334 to nab the second highest score by an Australian behind Matthew Hayden (380).

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GETTY IMAGES Tim Paine put the team ahead of David Warner's shot at a record and some didn't like it.

Australia reduced Pakistan to 96-6 at stumps on day two of the test, with rain forecast in the coming days.

"It's not a lot of rain though, is it? I'm just thinking, you don't often get that opportunity to go on to get a world record," Lee said.

"Years and years of cricket, and here's a chance to knock over 400 from the great Brian Lara.

"I would have preferred they [Pakistan] start the innings under lights with the new pink ball.

"I just think if they went out to Warner and said here's the equation, 'You've got eight or nine overs to bat. If you can pick off another 70-odd runs, good luck'."

MARK KOLBE/GETTY IMAGES David Warner has put a forgettable Ashes series against England behind him.

Taylor backed Lee's views, while Warne said he was surprised by the decision to declare but understood Paine's logic.

"I was a bit surprised. Because of the way Warner's batted today I thought he might have gone for the record," Warne said.

"But they wanted to have a crack at Pakistan. They're putting the team ahead of the individual. It would have been nice theatre to see David Warner go for the record."

Aussie great Mark Waugh also supported the declaration, while England great Michael Vaughan said Paine had "spoiled the party".

Warner himself had no complaints, saying he was aware at the time a declaration was imminent.

"I don't think [it was an opportunity missed] at all," Warner said.

"We really looked at the weather that is around tomorrow. We wanted to give ourselves a lot of time.

"If there is a bit of rain about tomorrow the bowlers get a good rest, then you only have to get 14 wickets in the last day.

"It wasn't a thing in our mind to go out there and try and get the records ... It was more about putting ourselves in a position to win the test."

Some social media users were not so kind, declaring Paine should be sacked for his decision to deny the left-hander a shot at history.

- Stuff and AAP