Watson stands firm as Aussies struggle

Australia struggled to 208-5 on a slow first day of the second Test against the West Indies with only Shane Watson passing 50.

Having won the toss, Aussie skipper Michael Clarke would have been looking for an imposing first-day total to stamp their authority on the game and the series, having taken a 1-0 lead in Bridgetown. But it was a struggle all day and a run rate of just 2.3 runs per over proved that it was difficult to get the ball off the square at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain. The opening pair of David Warner and Ed Cowan put on 53, with Warner first two go for 29, while Cowan crawled to 28 before he was trapped in front by the impressive Kemar Roach. Ricky Ponting made just seven before he was the victim of a superb ball from Roach which turned him around, took the edge and was initially dropped by wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh, before Darren Sammy snaffled it at slip. That left the Baggy Greens on 83-3 but Watson, with 56, and Clarke, who hit eight fours in his 45, added 84 for the fourth wicket. Both went in quick succession but the evergreen Mike Hussey dug deep for 83 balls to end the day unbeaten on 26 and he will have Matthew Wade (11) for company on day two. The Windies' bowlers took advantage of a helpful surface with Roach (2-77) and off-spinner Shane Shillingford (2-56) the most successful. Fidel Edwards bowled 13 wicket-less overs but only conceded 28 runs while Narsingh Deonarine claimed 1-28 with his off-spinners. It was not the most exciting day's cricket but, with the pitch playing a few tricks already, a score of around 300 might not be too bad and will give the tourists the chance to pressurise Sammy's men later on Tuesday.