Australia have taken the initiative on a rain-marred second day of the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad.

Thanks to an 89-run seventh wicket stand between Michael Hussey (73) and James Pattinson (32), Australia posted 311 in their first innings.

The pair came together following the fall of Matthew Wade (11) in the second over of the day with no addition to Australia’s overnight score of 208.

Wade was caught by Darren Bravo at first slip after edging a good delivery from Windies paceman Kemar Roach, who finished with 5-107 after mopping up Australia’s tail.

Hussey and Pattinson’s runs could prove crucial on a slow and low Queen’s Park Oval pitch where scoring is difficult as the Windies try to claim a series-levelling victory.

The home team didn’t do themselves any favours, with wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh’s botched stumping of Hussey when the veteran left-hander was on 47 in the morning session proving especially costly.

The stumping was the second life Hussey received in his knock after being dropped by Baugh on Sunday evening, the 36-year-old going on to post his highest score in five Tests in the Caribbean.

The West Australian was eventually removed when he chipped a simple catch to cover from part-timer Narsingh Deonarine (2-32).

In the next over Pattinson, who had played and missed several times in his knock, ballooned a leading edge off Shane Shillingford (3-92) which Bravo caught despite a light collision with Adrian Barath.

Pattinson and Hussey twice had to resume their partnership after rain delays with a shower midway through the first session halting play for 15 minutes before heavier rain kept players off the field for 90 minutes after lunch.