Bridgetown: A slow Kensington Oval pitch and a number of dropped catches helped the West Indies build a solid start against Australia on the opening day of the first Test.
When rain curtailed the action, the home side were 179 for 3 on Saturday with the backbone of the score being a century second wicket partnership between Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards.
Having won the toss, the West Indies’ openers made a steady start and the initial breakthrough for Australia didn’t come until the 18th over.
For his second spell, Ryan Harris had replaced Nathan Lyon. His third ball was a bouncer outside off stump that Barath, who had made 22, hit high in the air for Peter Siddle to get under at fine-leg. Edwards joined Brathwaite and he started slowly but the score was steadily building with Brathwaite being fortunate to survive two tough chances that he offered.
As Michael Clarke looked for options he turned to part-time leg-break bowler David Warner.
When Edwards had reached 61 he smashed a return catch back at Warner who took it smartly.
Siddle was probably the pick of a pace attack that had kept things tight all day and he was rewarded when Brathwaite played one loose shot too many. Steady rain arrived with 17 overs left in the day and with the light getting worse the umpires called an early end. (AFP)