Bravo lights up first day

Dwayne Bravo savours his third Test century during an eventful first day. He rode his luck somewhat to make 104

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An entertaining century from Dwayne Bravo and a clutch of referred umpiring decisions were the major talking points on a competitive opening day in the second Test between Australia and West Indies.

West Indies won the toss, elected to bat and gathered momentum late in the day to close on 336 for six at the Adelaide Oval.

Allied to Bravo’s fine 104, there were also valuable contributions from Brendan Nash and Darren Sammy as West Indies rallied after slipping to 84 for three.

Nash, who retired hurt on 20 at lunch after being struck on the forearm by a Mitchell Johnson delivery, returned late in the day to finish unbeaten on 44, a score matched by Darren Sammy.

Although West Indies lost three wickets in the morning session, they scored at almost five an over.

Adrian Barath, who hit a hundred on his debut in the defeat at the Gabba last week, fell cheaply before an uninhibited Chris Gayle perished for a rapid 26, which included four fours and six.

Doug Bollinger, recalled to the side in place of the injured Brett Lee and playing only his second Test, was the bowler on both occasions.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, returning from the back injury which ruled him out in Brisbane, battled hard for 28 but found Michael Clarke at point off Johnson.

Nash was forced from the field after feeling the force of Johnson's pace, but Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Bravo provided ballast to the West Indies innings courtesy of a 116-run alliance which saw Bravo go to a 91-ball half-century.

Chanderpaul had survived an early referral decision when Bollinger thought he had the left-hander caught behind, but television umpire Asad Rauf refused to overturn Mark Benson’s not-out verdict.

Brendan Nash was forced to retire hurt after being struck by a Mitchell Johnson delivery, but returned to end the day on 44

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Bravo, who was dropped twice on 46 – by Peter Siddle in his follow-through and by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin – was particularly harsh on anything overpitched, while both batsmen showed their strength square of the wicket.

Bravo was also reprieved when he had made 62. Having hooked Siddle to deep square-leg, Shane Watson took the catch but attempted to throw the ball into play as he stepped over the rope and could not complete the dismissal.

Bravo scored quickly during an eventful final session which saw Chanderpaul adjudged caught behind off Watson following a successful video referral by Australia – despite footage appearing to be inconclusive.

Denesh Ramdin played on later in the over to rock West Indies further, but Bravo went to a third Test century – off 146 balls – with a lofted straight drive off Nathan Hauritz.

The off-spinner exacted revenged when he found extravagant turn to bowl Bravo, who moments earlier had successfully challenged an lbw decision won by Watson.

Nash returned to the crease to accompany the aggressive Sammy during an unbroken 62-run stand for the seventh wicket in fewer than 12 overs which carried West Indies to the close in much higher spirits.