Windies snare Warner, Smith but runs flow for Australians
Australia rollicked along but lost three wickets in a breezy start to their Test series against the West Indies in Hobart on Thursday.
At lunch, the home side were 121 for three off 24 overs with Adam Voges not out nine and Shaun Marsh yet to score.
Steve Smith won the toss on a greenish Bellerive wicket and openers David Warner and Joe Burns set about helping themselves to the West Indian bowlers.
But, in a key breakthrough, Warner, who was dropped on four, was out nearing lunch for 64 off 61 balls to a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
It was a relief for Ramdin, who had dropped Warner in the second over from a tough chance off Kemar Roach, diving across first slip with his outstretched left glove.
Runs, however, came easily and Australia's openers helped themselves to 12 boundaries off the first eight overs.
The Caribbean tourists had two other successes in the morning session with muscular paceman Shannon Gabriel bowling Burns on the top of middle stump for 33 in the 11th over.
Warrican had Smith caught by Jermaine Blackwood at first slip for 10 in what could prove a big wicket for the tourists.
Warner reached his 50 off 40 balls with a quick single off Gabriel to square leg with Smith narrowly avoiding being run out at the striker's end.
The West Indies picked Warrican as their spin option ahead of wrist spinner Devendra Bishoo.
James Pattinson was Australia's only change getting the nod ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile to replace Mitchell Starc, who is to have ankle surgery.
The West Indies are ranked above only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and have won just four of their last 20 Tests. They last won a Test in Australia in 1997.
Doubts about the West Indies redoubled after they were humiliated by a rookie Cricket Australia XI by 10 wickets in their only warm-up game.
In contrast, third-ranked Australia are coming off a 2-0 home series win over New Zealand and spanked the West Indies in two Tests earlier this year.