Fast bowler Ryan Harris starred in a four-wicket display as Australia took the upper-hand in their three-day tour match against a West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI in Barbados.
At stumps on day one Australia were 2-81 in reply to the hosts’ 201, with Michael Clarke (11no) and Ricky Ponting (8no) at the crease.
Harris was the main man in the day’s play, snaring 4-22 including a three-wicket spell just after lunch that sparked a collapse by the President’s XI at the 3Ws Oval in Bridgetown.
Having limped to 1-58 in the morning session, the hosts lost 5-20 in the first hour after the lunch interval before Dwayne Smith (62) and Jason Holder (49) combined in a 103-run stand for the seventh wicket.
After the tea-break Smith became Harris’ fourth victim before left-arm spinner Michael Beer (4-41) cleaned up the tail to push his own claims for Test selection.
“That spell where I got wickets it was still going normal but it’s just good to be able to run in and bowl the ball the straight,” Harris said.
“Lucky enough they missed the straight ones so it was good.”
Australia’s innings got off to a good start with openers Ed Cowan and Shane Watson adding 43 for the first wicket before Cowan was caught by Holder off spin bowler Ryan Austin.
Watson reached a breezy 42 with eight boundaries before he fell shortly before stumps, trapped LBW by fast bowler Nelon Pascal.
The game resumes on Tuesday at 10am (0000 Wednesday AEST).