Australia took control of the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad after Michael Clarke pulled another surprise move on Monday.

After Australia were dismissed for 311 in their first innings at Queen’s Park Oval, Clarke opted for left-arm spinner Michael Beer to open the bowling for the Windies’ innings.

The shock move paid off as the Windies limped to be 3-49 at stumps with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1no) and Darren Bravo (16no) at the crease.

Beer (1-22) and Ben Hilfenhaus (1-12) didn’t concede a run for five overs at the start of the Windies innings, with Hilfenhaus removing Kraigg Brathwaite (0) in the process.

Playing in his second Test Beer also had success when he trapped opener Adrian Barath (7) lbw in the 13th over.

The West Australian is the first specialist spin bowler to take the new ball in the first innings for Australia since 1938.

James Pattinson (1-6), playing in his first Test since breaking down after the clash with India in Sydney in January, also had a great day back in the baggy green.

The 21-year-old combined with Michael Hussey in a vital 89-run seventh wicket stand to take Australia’s score past 300, scoring 32 as Hussey top-scored with 73.

Pattinson then struck with his first ball, claiming Kieran Powell lbw for 19 though replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump and the Windies batsman would have been reprieved if he had reviewed the decision.

Hussey said Clarke’s call to open with Beer had come about after it looked like Australia might have to bowl one or two overs before tea after their innings ended.

“Thinking about it over tea time and thought, why not? It’s going to be very difficult for an opening batsman,” he said.

“When you’re facing the new ball, you’re expecting seam bowling to be coming down at you, or swing bowling. You’re preparing for that.

“It’s very difficult for an opening batsman and it proved to be that way.”

Australia’s late success stole some of the thunder away from Windies paceman Kemar Roach, who finished with 5-105 to claim the third five-wicket haul of his Test career.

Despite the loss of three wickets before stumps, Roach said the Windies were still hopeful of hauling in Australia’s total.

“We’re big boys, we’re big men, so we’re a bit behind, but so it goes in cricket,” Roach said.

“We can come back, we will come back tomorrow and play cricket the way we want to play cricket.”