SIMON Katich led the way with 92 as Australia’s top-order set the platform for a sizeable first innings score against West Indies in Brisbane. The home side reached 322 for five at stumps on day one of the first Test.

Katich top-scored while captain Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey both hit half-centuries as the home side reached 322 for five at stumps on day one of the first Test.

The Windies, spearheaded by 21-year-old paceman Kemar Roach (one for 50) and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (two for 66), showed plenty of potential in the field, but their lack of sustained pressure proved all too costly, with opener Shane Watson the only man unable to get settled in the middle.

Watson fell for a duck in the third over after he failed to offer a shot to a sharp delivery from Jerome Taylor that pitched outside off stump and nipped in to rap the all-rounder on the front pad. From that point on, the hosts were tested but remained in control for the duration of play.

The decision review system was brought into play shortly after drinks in the opening session when jetlagged Windies captain Chris Gayle asked for a referral after umpire Ian Gould turned down a confident lbw appeal from debutant Ravi Rampaul when Ponting was on 30. After studying Hawkeye’s tracking of the ball, third umpire Mark Benson refused to reverse Gould’s decision.

The visitors bowled sharply but Ponting and Katich were quick to pounce on some short bowling from Rampaul, crashing a six each to push Australia’s total to 114 for one at lunch. The pair were troubled, mostly early on by new-ball duo Taylor and Roach, but both proved to be pugnacious in an opening session.

Roach dragged his side back into the contest in the fourth over after lunch, breaking the 126-run stand, removing Ponting (55) with a near-perfect length ball that drew an edge to keeper Denesh Ramdin.

The Windies missed their chance to grab control of the game, with Hussey and Katich motoring their side’s total to 200 to two before Bravo made the crucial breakthrough late in the second session.

Katich was given a major reprieve when on 81 when Sulieman Benn fumbled a chance at cover, but he was unable to make the visitors pay and feathered a leg-side edge to Ramdin shortly after.

The third session proved to be the tourists’ most successful, but slick batting from Marcus North (42 not out) and Brad Haddin (nine not out) ensured Australia would take the honours on the first day.

Benn’s 15-over spell late in the piece netted figures of one for 33, including the scalp of Hussey (66) who chipped a quicker delivery straight back to the lanky spinner. Gayle then reeled in a sensational catch at first slip to see the end of Michael Clarke (41). (Eurosport)
AUSTRALIA 1st innings
S. Watson lbw b Taylor 0
S. Katich c wkp. Ramdin b Bravo 92
R. Ponting c wkp. Ramdin b Roach 55
M. Hussey c & b Benn 66
M. Clarke c Gayle b Bravo 41
M. North not out 42
B. Haddin not out 9
Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-1, nb-14) 17
Total: (5 wkts, 90 overs) 322
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-126, 3-200, 4-253, 5-287.
Bowling: Taylor 9-2-43-1 (nb-4, w-1), Roach 16-3-50-1 (nb-5), Rampaul 14-1-71-0 (nb-4), Bravo 21-3-66-2 (nb-1), Benn 21-4-54-1, Gayle 9-0-36-0.