West Indies pace bowler Fidel Edwards removed both Australian openers cheaply in the opening session of the first test on Thursday but visiting skipper Ricky Ponting guided his team to 87 for two at lunch.
Edwards, getting some movement and bounce out of the Sabina Park track, caused plenty of problems early on with his slingy action.
Simon Katich, making his return to test cricket after an almost three year absence, flashed Edwards to Darren Sammy at wide gulley in the fourth over to depart for 12.
Then Phil Jaques was trapped lbw for nine, caught at the crease by a rising delivery from the Barbados quickie with Australia on 37 for two.
But then Ponting and his vice-captain Michael Hussey settled in and put on 50 before lunch without looking troubled.
Ponting won the toss and chose to bat against a West Indies side missing pace bowler Jerome Taylor.
He was ruled out with a lower back injury allowing Trinidadian off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth to make his debut.
Taylor's absence was another blow for the home side who are already without injured captain and opening batsman Chris Gayle with Ramnaresh Sarwan deputising as skipper.
Australia, missing the injured Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke who is on compassionate leave, recalled Katich and handed the number five slot to Brad Hodge.
Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who has replaced the retired Adam Gilchrist, makes his test debut for the tourists.