Day 1: WI vs Australia

Australia have ended Day 1 of the Third Test against the West Indies in Barbados in a strong position thanks to another brilliant partnership from Ricky Ponting and Darren Lehmann.

West Indian captain Brian Lara won the toss and elected to bowl on a wicket which traditionally favours the faster bowlers.

The West Indians handed raw paceman Tino Best and off-spinner Omari Banks Test debuts against an Australian side with Glenn McGrath back on deck.

Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden added 43 for the first wicket as Lara’s decision to bowl seemed certain to backfire.

Hayden was dismissed for 27 from just 30 balls when he was caught by recalled opener Chris Gayle off experienced pacer Vasbert Drakes.

Justin Langer was then joined by in the red-hot Ricky Ponting at number 3, with the pair putting together a partnership of 108 for the second wicket.

Langer was the first of the pair to be dismissed when off-spinner Omari Banks claimed his first Test scalp, caught by the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul for a well-made 78.

In-form Darren Lehmann then joined Ponting at the crease as the pair set about putting together another typical partnership.

In pair added 141 with a mixture of pure aggression and stoic defence, with Ponting reaching his third century of the series.

It seemed fitting that Ponting was dismissed the only way possible, run out by third man fieldsman Tino Best after making a typically stylish 113.

Lehmann then finished the day not out on 89, just 11 runs afar from his second Test century and within earshot for the first session on Day 2.

Stephen Waugh is the other undefeated batsman on 7.

For the West Indies, Vasbert Drakes was the best of the bowlers with 1/47. Omari Banks has taken 1/98 while Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best, Chris Gayle an Ramnaresh Sarwan have not taken a wicket.

Scores:

Australia 3/320 (R Ponting 113, D Lehmann 89*, J Langer 78, V Drakes 1/47)

Stumps Day 1.

Posted by Andre