Watson, Katich give Aussies strong start

-Scorecard: Australia vs West Indies, 2nd Test

Openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich gave Australia a bright start to their first innings in the second Test against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday as they closed play on 174-0, trailing by 277 runs.

Watson (96 batting) and Katich (71no) led the Aussie fight-back after West Indies were all out for 451. Their total was stretched thanks largely to a 10th-wicket partnership of 68 between Brendan Nash (92) and Ravi Rampaul (40no).

Earlier, Nash missed out on a century, but he and Ravi Rampaul rewrote the record books in putting up the highest West Indies total in a Test innings against Australia since Brian Lara's 277 at the SCG in 1992-93.

Nash and Rampaul also put on 68 for the final wicket, which was the highest tenth-wicket stand for West Indies against Australia, beating a 30-year-old mark set by Colin Croft and Joel Garner.

Nash was the last man out when he missed a Mitchell Johnson delivery that nipped back in and was bowled for 92.

But the entertainment value really came from Rampaul, who romped to an unbeaten 40, which was the second-highest Test score ever by a West Indies No 11.

Rampaul's highlights included a monstrous six over long on during a Watson over that cost 15.

Nash was more circumspect and continued the team's theme of redemption after Brisbane, where he had been scratchy.

Despite retiring hurt during the opening day after taking a blow on the arm from Mitchell Johnson, and suffering another similar knock from Johnson on the second day, Nash fought on to help West Indies add 115 to their overnight total.

He ticked the score over with singles and cut Johnson confidently for a pair of fours, never becoming too bogged down.

Nash was disappointed at missing the chance for a second Test hundred when he misjudged a ball from his former flat-mate Johnson.

On the second day, it was a brash Dwayne Bravo and a stubborn Shivnarine Chanderpaul who steered the West Indies to a respectable opening day total of 6-336.

Bravo scored a dashing 104 with 12 fours and a six, while Chanderpaul scored 62. Both added 116 for the fourth wicket, which steadied the visitors from an uncertain 3-84 after winning the toss and batting.

Pacers Doug Bollinger (2-42) and Shane Watson (2-42) were the more successful Australian bowlers, while Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Hauritz claimed a wicket each.