Watson helps Australia take upper hand

Shane Watson hit a patient half-century as Australia reached 208 for five on the first day of the second Test against West Indies on a slow Queen's Park Oval pitch.

Shane Watson hit a patient half-century as Australia reached 208 for five on the first day of the second Test against West Indies on a slow Queen's Park Oval pitch.

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Mike Hussey, on 26, and Matthew Wade, with 11, were unbeaten at the close, putting on a useful 30-run partnership after both men had survived dropped catches.

Watson was Australia's top scorer, making a solid 56. "It was hard to get the pace of the ball because it was very slow. Also the ball was very soft," he said.

"The fields that (skipper) Darren Sammy set meant it was hard to rotate the strike at times. I was trying to do everything I could to keep the scoreboard moving, but on a wicket like this it does make it difficult."

The day was also a mini-triumph for Windies' off-spinner Shane Shillingford who came in for Devendra Bishoo to play his first Test for 18 months after having to undergo remedial work on his action. He bowled 32 overs, taking two for 56, including opener David Warner in his first over. "It obviously felt pretty good coming back to Test cricket and getting a wicket in my first over," he said.