Australia are on course for a huge first innings total after amassing 339 for 3 on the first day of the third Test against the West Indies at the WACA, in Perth, on Wednesday.
Solid knocks from openers Shane Watson (89) and Simon Katich (99), who put on a stand of 132, and Mike Hussey (81 not out) gave the hosts early command in the match despite skipper Ricky Ponting being forced to retire hurt on 23 after being struck on the arm by Kemar Roach.
At stumps, Marcus North was unbeaten on 23 in an unfinished 62 run-partnership with Hussey.
Australia, who lead the series 1-0, handed fast bowler Clint McKay his Test debut. The Victorian replaced the injured Peter Siddle.
The West Indies took the field without Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is nursing a finger injury, and Adrian Barath (hamstring injury) after Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. With Darren Sammy left out of the eleven, the visitors went in with debutant Gavin Tonge, Travis Dowlin and Narsingh Deonarine.
Watson, who got a reprieve when he was dropped by West Indies skipper Chris Gayle, went on to share a 132 run stand with Katich. Roach broke the partnership, when he dismissed Watson for a well-made 89, which contained 15 boundaries.
Next-man in Ponting got going immediately, but was halted in his stride after being hit on the left arm by the second delivery he faced from Roach. By the time he left the field he had hit 23 off 25 deliveries, including two fours and a six in one over from Roach.
Ponting is likely to resume his battle with Roach on Day 2 after being cleared of any serious injury.
However, he is likely to be reprimanded by the match referee after he and Dwayne Bravo got into a heated exchange that needed umpire Ian Gould to intervene.
Hussey and Katich then put together a solid partnership of 128 runs before the latter fell for 99 after chasing a delivery outside the off-stump from Roach.
Michael Clarke (11) played with authority till Deonarine forced him to come down the pitch and hole out to Gayle short mid-wicket.
But local boys Hussey and North a ensured no further success came visitors' way as they took Australia to a commanding 339 for 3 at stumps.
