Ponting seizes control with century

Australia 174-2 v West Indies

Given first use of a benign pitch against an attack comprising two young bowlers on debut and two more with nine Tests between them, Australia built the foundations of another formidable total on the first day of the third Test here yesterday.

An hour into the second session, Australia were 174 for 2 following a second wicket partnership of 108 between the left-handed opener Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

Langer provided the 20-year-old off-spinner Omari Banks with his first wicket in his debut Test when he attempted to repeat a six hit in the previous over and lobbed a catch to cover off the leading edge.

Benefitting from missed catches off the fast bowler Jermaine Lawson's first ball of the match and a straightforward return to the same bowler when on four, Langer hit a six and eight fours in two hours 35 minutes at the crease. Ponting, who hit 208 in the second Test in Port-of-Spain, was on 57 and the left-hander Darren Lehmann on 11.

The West Indies, beaten in the first two Tests and in danger of suffering their first clean sweep defeat in a home series, compounded their problems by giving Langer his early chances. Lawson found the outside edge with his opening delivery but Ramnaresh Sarwan, diving to his right at third slip, could not hold on to a difficult chance inches from the turf. Four overs later, Lawson let Langer's second offering from his juggling grasp.

Langer had two other close calls. Attempting Ponting's sharp single to cover, he was well short of his crease at 51 when Devon Smith's throw missed the one stump at which he had to aim. At 67, he had an anxious wait while the third umpire Eddie Nicholls ruled him not out on Lawson's throw from long-leg.

Matthew Hayden, Langer's tall, left-handed partner, was in ominous form, repeatedly hooking and pulling Lawson and his new pace partner, the 21-year-old Tino Best.

But, after hitting five fours, he was the only West Indian success before lunch when he was caught by Chris Gayle off Vasbert Drakes' first over.