Cricket: Openers thrash wayward attack

Shane Watson was unbeaten on 98 at stumps. Photo / Getty Images

Shane Watson powered to within a whisker of his first test century, leading an emphatic Australian response to a rare display of West Indies dominance of the second test.

Australia were 0-174 at stumps on day two at Adelaide Oval, with Watson unbeaten on 96 and his opening partner Simon Katich on 71.

The pair made an aggressive reply to the Windies' imposing first innings of 451, a total largely built on yesterday by Australian-born Brendan Nash.

The son of Jamaican parents, Nash - who was born in Western Australia and played for Queensland before moving to Jamaica in 2007 - compiled a methodical 92 as the visitors enjoyed a rare half-day of dominance.

The Windies tailend batsmen ran Australia ragged in compiling 117 runs for their last four wickets, before Watson thundered Australia back into the contest.

Watson's previous best test score was 78 and he savaged a West Indies bowling attack which failed to capitalise on the fine work of their batsmen.

The Queenslander struck 16 boundaries in a display which deserves a breakthrough ton in his 20th test innings when he resumes today.

Watson and Katich's partnership was stunning, but the hosts still trail the West Indies by 277 runs - with the platform for the visitors' commanding first dig having been built by an opening day Dwayne Bravo century and Nash's tenacious knock.

Nash figured in an enterprising 68-run stand for the last wicket with Ravi Rampaul, who struck an aggressive 40 not out featuring six boundaries and two sixes. The No.11 dominated the partnership, which lasted 76 frustrating minutes for Australia.

Nash was the last man dismissed when he chopped a delivery from his former house-mate Mitchell Johnson on to his stumps, ending the agony for the Australians, who had sensed a quick kill when Darren Sammy (44) was trapped lbw by Peter Siddle on the first ball of day two.

But Nash, the son of a Jamaican Olympic swimmer, mixed resolute defence with deft strokeplay, particularly square of the wicket, in an enterprising innings.

Johnson was the most successful of the Australian bowlers, claiming 3-105, while Doug Bollinger (2-76), Watson (2-57) and Nathan Hauritz (2-111) each claimed two wickets.

- AAP