Part-time leg-break bowler David Warner took his first international wicket as West Indies reached 3 for 179 against Australia before rain ended play early on the first day of the first Test.
Kraigg Brathwaite (57) and Kirk Edwards, who made 61 with 10 boundaries and a six, had put on 104 for the second wicket when Warner took a smart catch off his own bowling to dismiss Edwards.
It was a key breakthrough just before the tea interval and provided Australia with some relief after a difficult day in the field at Kensington Oval.
Brathwaite and Edwards were beginning to get on top of the bowling after a slow but steady start to the match and it was a blow for the West Indies as Edwards had been the aggressor in a growing partnership.
Warner, the seventh bowler Michael Clarke used, admitted the team felt relieved when he got his wicket after poor fielding denied them earlier dismissals.
"We've got to keep taking our chances, we pride ourselves on that and I think we've got to be better tomorrow," Warner said.
"The scoreboard pressure that we've put on there as well - it's not moving at a great rate.
"If we can keep doing what we did at home and play boring cricket but keep the ball hanging out there ... hopefully they play and we get some nicks."
Brathwaite made the most of three chances the Australians gave him to reach his fourth Test half-century before Peter Siddle induced a nick behind to give Matthew Wade his first dismissal.
Siddle should have twice got the wicket of the 19-year-old opener before this point, dropping a caught and bowled chance and then seeing an edge dropped by Shane Watson at fourth slip.
Watson himself also came close to snaring Braithwaite's wicket when Ricky Ponting could not claim a catch stretching to his right.
The first breakthrough for Australia came in the 18th over.
Starting his second spell, Ryan Harris came around the wicket to Adrian Barath and his third ball bouncer outside off stump was hit high in the air by Barath for Siddle to catch at fine-leg.
On a slow pitch that is offering little assistance to the fast bowlers, Australia will be keen to stop the current partnership between Darren Bravo and the returning Shivnarine Chanderpaul developing on day two.
James Pattinson was named as 12th man for the match which will see vice-captain Watson will bat at number three for the first time with Warner and Ed Cowan opening the batting.
West Indies is aiming for its first Test win against Australia for 9 years and a first series win over the visitor in 19 years.
AFP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados, australia First posted April 08, 2012 06:46:43
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