David Warner’s first international wicket was the highlight for Australia on day one of the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados.

Warner, one of eight bowlers used by Australia captain Michael Clarke, snared a sharp caught and bowled before tea but it was the hosts who had the better of the day at Kensington Oval, reaching 3-179 when play was ended an hour early due to rain.

Warner’s spectacular reflex effort to remove Kirk Edwards (61) and end a 104-run second wicket partnership between the Windies vice-captain and teenage opener Kraigg Brathwaite wasn’t reflected in Australia’s overall fielding effort however.

Brathwaite, who took 199-balls to make 57, was twice dropped in his knock while Shane Watson grassed a slips catch offered by Edwards an over before Warner struck.

Peter Siddle (1-36) was the first culprit, dropping a caught and bowled chance in the opening session when 19-year-old Barbadian Brathwaite was on 10.

Siddle went some way to making up for that drop when he caught Adrian Barath (22) in the deep after Ryan Harris (1-29) had lured the diminutive opener into top-edging a hook shot.

But Brathwaite’s charmed life continue when Ricky Ponting dropped a diving chance at 2nd slip of Watson’s bowling with the opener on 44.

Debutant Matthew Wade finally removed Brathwaite after tea when Siddle drew an edge which the Victorian wicketkeeper gladly caught to claim his first Test dismissal.

That was as good as it got for Australia in the final session though, with Darren Bravo (20no) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (8no) guiding the hosts to the early finish.

The match resumes at 9.30am on Sunday (2330 AEST).