Chanderpaul ton puts Windies in command

Shivnarine Chanderpaul completed his 25th Test century to put the West Indies in a strong position against Australia in the first Test, at the Kensington Oval, in Barbados, on Sunday.

He scored an unbeaten 103 before West Indies captain Darren Sammy declared his team's first innings closed at 449 for nine on the second day of the Test.

Australia made a confident start to their reply, reaching 44 without loss when rain forced an early end to play in Bridgetown.

Every single West Indian batsmen made it to at least double figures, with Kirk Edwards (61), Kraigg Braithwaite (57) and Darren Bravo (51) all registering half-centuries.

The Australian bowlers struggled to make regular inroads on a good batting wicket after the home team resumed at 179-3.

Chanderpaul started the day on eight and batted patiently to reach his hundred off 235 balls.

It took him to third on the list of West Indies centurions, behind only Brian Lara (34) and Gary Sobers (26).

Australia had grabbed two West Indies wickets before rainfall forced an early lunch with the hosts on 291 for five.

The Caribbean side had added 112 for the loss of two wickets in an extended morning session to make up time lost by rain on Saturday.

Australia finally got some reward for their efforts when Bravo edged Shane Watson to Mike Hussey at gully to make it 240 for four.

Narsingh Deonarine then made 21 before he top edged Ryan Harris to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

Chanderpaul was joined by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh before the rain sent the players off the field in Bridgetown five minutes before the scheduled lunch break.

Scorecard

West Indies (1st innings):
Adrian Barath c Siddle b Harris 22
Kraigg Brathwaite c Wade b Siddle 57
Kirk Edwards c & b Warner 61
Darren Bravo c Hussey b Watson 51
Shivnarine Chanderpaul not out 103
Narsingh Deonarine c Wade b Harris 21
Carlton Baugh run out 22
Darren Sammy c Cowan b Hilfenhaus 41
Kemar Roach c Clarke b Lyon 16
Fidel Edwards c Hussey b Lyon 10
Devendra Bishoo not out 18
Extras: (B-12, LB-9, W-4, NB-2) 27
TOTAL: (153 overs) 449 for 9 declared

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-142, 3-167, 4-240, 5-285, 6-316, 7-369, 8-402, 9-421.

Bowling: Ryan Harris 29-8-83-2, Ben Hilfenhaus 33-12-67-1, Peter Siddle 31-10-83-1, Nathan Lyon 31-11-94-1, Michael Clarke 2-0-4-0, Shane Watson 15-5-46-1, David Warner 10-0-45-2, Michael Hussey 2-0-6-0.

Australia (1st innings):
Ed Cowan not out 13
David Warner not out 27
Extras: (4lb) 4
TOTAL: (9.5 overs) 44 for no loss

Bowling: Fidel Edwards 4-1-14-0, Kemar Roach 4.5-0-18-0, Devendra Bishoo 1-0-8-0.

Photograph: Adnan Abidi / Reuters