An unbeaten hundred from Shivnarine Chanderpaul has put the West Indies in a strong position in the first Test against Australia in Barbados.
The veteran batsman made 103 not out as the Windies scored 9 for 449 declared in its first innings at Kensington Oval, his 25th Test hundred and fifth against Australia.
In reply, Australia had reached 0-44 at stumps on day two with openers Ed Cowan (13 not out) and David Warner (27 not out) putting together a good counter-attack in 9.5 overs before bad light stopped play.
Australia's new number three, Shane Watson, believes it is key the Australian batsmen continue to score quick runs on day three.
"We're going to have to bat well and score quite quickly as well to keep the game moving forward," Watson said.
"There's potential for the wicket to break up in some way, balls might stay a bit lower and maybe there might be a bit of spin if the footmarks dust up a little bit.
"The way these wickets can work if the game peters along for three or four days the result can turn around pretty quickly with a good session.
"We've got to put ourselves in that position by batting well."
Chanderpaul's 248-ball epic took in most of the second day's play after he started with Darren Bravo with the Windies with the overnight score on 3 for 179.
Bravo went on to make 51, joining Kirk Edwards (61) and Kraigg Brathwaite (57) as top-order half-century makers for the Windies.
The hosts' innings was sparked by a 36-ball 41 from Darren Sammy which included three sixes as well as being felled by a Shane Watson bouncer.
But while Sammy's belligerent innings was over in a flash, unflappable Chanderpaul batted on, adding 28 with last man Devendra Bishoo (18 not out) to reach three figures.
The left-hander also had to survive a close leg before decision, which was reviewed, on 85.
Chanderpaul believes Bishoo could be a key man with the ball, tipping the leg-spinner to make life difficult for the Australian batsmen.
"It depends on how well we bowl," he said.
"There's still some rough out there for the spinner.
"If he (Bishoo) pitches in the right areas, there's some spin in the wicket and things can happen for us."
Australia's bowlers were made to toil through 153 overs with only Ryan Harris (2 for 83) and part-timer Warner (2 for 45) taking multiple wickets.
Peter Siddle (1 for 83) bowled well without luck, while Nathan Lyon toiled through 31 overs for 1 for 94.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, barbados, australia First posted April 09, 2012 06:50:38
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