Katich calls the shots

Simon Katich capitalises on a short delivery during his 92 on a day of Australian dominance at the Gabba

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Simon Katich led the way with 92 as Australia’s top order set the platform for a sizeable first-innings total against West Indies in Brisbane.

Katich top-scored while captain Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey also hit half-centuries as the hosts reached 322 for five by stumps on day one of the first Test.

The Windies, spearheaded by 21-year-old paceman Kemar Roach and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, showed plenty of potential with the ball, but their lack of sustained pressure proved costly.

Opener Shane Watson was the only batsman not to make a start, leg before without scoring as he shouldered arms to a delivery from Jerome Taylor which nipped back in.

It was the 10th time in 19 innings Watson has fallen lbw, but from that point on the hosts took control - to justify Ponting’s decision to bat first after winning the toss.

The match at the Gabba marks the first time the International Cricket Council's decision review system, which allows each side two unsuccessful challenges per innings, has been used on Australia soil after its full implementation.

The DRS was brought into play shortly after drinks in the opening session when jetlagged West Indies captain Chris Gayle asked for a referral after umpire Ian Gould turned down a confident lbw appeal from debutant Ravi Rampaul when Ponting had made 30.

However, after studying Hawkeye's tracking of the ball, third umpire Mark Benson refused to reverse Gould's decision.

The visitors bowled with intent but Ponting and Katich were quick to pounce on anything short from Rampaul, hitting a six apiece to carry Australia to lunch without further mishap despite overcast conditions aiding the seamers.

The impressive Kemar Roach looks on as Katich and Ricky Ponting, his captain, share a second-wicket stand of 126

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Roach, who bowled with pace and extracted bounce and movement to emerge as the pick of the attack, struck in the fourth over after lunch, breaking a 126-run stand by removing Ponting for 55 courtesy of an outside edge.

Hussey edged through the slips and played and missed on a handful of occasions before the pressure valve was released when he stroked two well-timed boundaries in Gayle's first over.

He and Katich saw Australia beyond 200 before Bravo made a much-needed breakthrough late in the afternoon session.

Katich, reprieved on 81 when Sulieman Benn spilled a chance at cover, was unable to make the tourists pay and was caught behind down the leg side by Denesh Ramdin shortly after.

Left-arm spinner Benn's 15-over spell late in the day saw him remove Hussey for 66 courtesy of a return catch.

It took a splendid catch from Gayle, high to his left at a wide slip off Bravo, to account for Michael Clarke, who made 41, but Marcus North and Brad Haddin ensured it was West Indies’ last success of the day - despite their taking the new ball five overs before the close.

West Indies were dealt a major blow before play when batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was ruled out with a back injury sustained during training yesterday.