Ponting's ton gives Aussies the edge

Australia 7 for 340 (Ponting 149, Collymore 4-47) v West Indies
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

Ricky Ponting's 24th Test century spared Australia the blushes as Shivnarine Chanderpaul's gamble of inserting the opposition paid dividends on the opening day of the series at the Gabba. Corey Collymore produced a magnificent spell of seam bowling after lunch, but with Adam Gilchrist providing an attractive cameo in support, Ponting's punishing 149 wrested back the initiative as the 100th match between the two most successful sides in the annals of Test cricket got off to an enthralling start.

Having lost Michael Hussey, the 30-year-old debutant with over 15,000 first-class runs to his name, early in the morning, Ponting was quickly into his stride, driving and pulling with panache as Australia survived a fiery opening burst from Fidel Edwards and Daren Powell.

Ponting and a circumspect Matthew Hayden added 92 for the second wicket before Collymore left his imprint on the day's proceedings. At just medium pace, he produced seam bowling worthy of some of the greats of the past, trapping Hayden leg before and getting both Michael Clarke and Simon Katich to edge behind in a spell that was all about accuracy and subtle movement.

From 1 for 101, Australia were suddenly facing abject embarrassment at 4 for 111, and Chanderpaul - who would no doubt have been aware of Nasser Hussain's folly three years earlier - could afford to pat himself on the back. But with a crisis looming, Gilchrist stepped up to the breach to supplement his captain's sterling effort as Australia fought back spiritedly before tea.

Ponting responded to the challenge with a superb pull for four off Edwards and a magnificent back-foot cover-drive off Collymore, but then enjoyed two massive slices of luck just before the drinks break. First, Dwayne Smith missed a direct hit from point with Ponting yards short of the crease at the bowler's end, and then Collymore had an excellent appeal turned down with Ponting, then on 68, not too far forward.

Gilchrist had got going with a typical slash past point, and when Powell and Lawson replaced Edwards and Collymore, he cashed in with a couple of splendid drives. Chanderpaul's inability to stop singles from tap-and-run meant that the pressure never crippled the Australian batsmen, and an abysmal over-rate meant that he had to draft in Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle with their part-time offspin.

By then, Ponting had driven, cut and pulled his way into the 90s, and a crisp cut for four took him to a fourth successive century against the West Indies. Given the situation, it was a fabulous innings, and one that defied opposition who were punching well above their weight.

Collymore came back rejuvenated after tea to nail Gilchrist, but Ponting carried on in aggressive fashion with Shane Watson providing stolid support. Watson was eventually undone by a blistering quick spell from Edwards. There was no overt sledging, but well-directed bouncers and a few stares unsettled Watson and a reverse-swinging delivery did the rest.

Ponting's 213-ball epic ended with a sharp grab from Ramnaresh Sarwan, but West Indies then failed to deliver the knockout punch. Powell failed to react quickly enough to a lofted stroke from Shane Warne, and both he and Brett Lee ran the singles and played some handsome strokes in the final minutes as Australia finished an eventful session handily placed on a pitch that was already showing signs of variable bounce.

Derided by their critics before and after arriving in Australia, West Indies proved today that they weren't around to make up the numbers, and but for a batting masterclass from Ponting, their statement of intent would have resonated even louder. As it was, Australia held the edge, only just, and visions of a one-sided procession were fast receding.

Michael Hussey c Ramdin b Powell 1 (1 for 9)
Top-edged a pull while being in less-than-perfect position

Matthew Hayden lbw Collymore 37 (2 for 101)
Trapped in front by one that darted back a shade off the seam

Michael Clarke c Ramdin b Collymore 5 (3 for 108)
Drawn forward by the leg-cutter, and the thin edge is easily taken

Simon Katich c Gayle b Collymore 0 (4 for 111)
Undone by extra bounce, ball goes off the back of the bat to first slip

Adam Gilchrist lbw Collymore 44 (5 for 215)
Rapped in front by one that seamed back, and would have hit off stump

Shane Watson lbw Edwards 16 (6 for 273)
Plumb in front to one that shaped back at real pace

Ricky Ponting c Sarwan b Lawson 149 (7 for 294)
Flicked to midwicket, low catch taken on the dive