ALL-rounder Shane Watson momentarily silenced his critics with an unbeaten 96 during Australia’s impressive opening stand against the West Indies in the second Test at Adelaide Oval.

At stumps on day two the home team were in a commanding position at 174 without loss, trailing the tourists’ first-innings total by 277 runs.

There has been some debate about the 28-year-old’s position at the top of the order but his input in the opening stand with Simon Katich is sure to have impressed the selectors.

A confident Watson reached his fifth Test half-century with nine boundaries and in 66 deliveries before displaying great concentration and discipline as he went hunting for a maiden Test ton.

Watson displayed the technique and the temperament required of a Test opener during his 146-ball stay at the crease, although the Adelaide Oval pitch has caused few problems for any batsmen in this match.

He also had some luck after being dropped on 92 by Denesh Ramdin off Sulieman Benn late in the day.

Katich backed up his 92 at the Gabba with a clinical 71 from 148 deliveries.

Earlier in the day a fighting West Indies added 115 runs to its overnight score to reach a competitive total of 451.

The tourists were 383 for nine before Brendan Nash and Ravi Rampaul combined for a record 10th-wicket partnership of 68 to frustrate the Australians.

Their stand was a final-wicket record for the West Indies against Australia, eclipsing the previous best union of 56 between Joel Garner and Colin Croft back in 1979-80. (Eurosport)

WEST INDIES 1st innings(o/n 336 for six)
C. Gayle c wkp. Haddin b Bollinger 26
A. Barath c Hussey b Bollinger 3
R. Sarwan c Clarke b Johnson 28
S. Chanderpaul c wkp. Haddin b Watson 62
B. Nash b Johnson 92
D. Bravo b Hauritz 104
D. Ramdin b Watson 4
D. Sammy lbw b Siddle 44
S. Benn lbw b Hauritz 17
K. Roach c wkpr Haddin b Johnson 2
R. Rampaul not out 40
Extras: (b-5, lb-14, w-5, nb-5) 29
Total: (all out, 124.1 overs) 451
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-39, 3-84, 3-119, 4-235, 5-239, 6-273, 7-336, 8-380, 9-383.
NB: Nash returned at 6-273.
Bowling: Bollinger 25-3-67-2 (nb-4), Siddle 25-6-92-1, Johnson 26.1-3-105-3 (w-1), Hauritz 36-5-111-2 (nb-1), Watson 12-2-57-2

AUSTRALIA 1st innings
S. Watson not out 96
S. Katich not out 71
Extras: (lb-1, nb-6) 7
Total: (without loss, 48 overs) 174
Bowling: Roach 7-1-25-0 (nb-2), Rampaul 9-1-32-0 (nb-3), Bravo 9-1-30-0, Sammy 7-1-35-0; Benn 16-3-51-0 (nb-1).