Labuschagne goes big as Australia gets off to dominant start versus West Indies

Marnus Labuschagne’s 154 not-out coupled with half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have Australia in a dominant position heading into Day 2 against the West Indies in Perth.

The hosts are 2-for-293 with Labuschagne and Smith currently in the midst of a 142-run partnership.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat on an Optus Stadium pitch that is still new to the Test arena.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of the legendary Shivnarine, was presented his debut cap by West Indies icon Brian Lara pre-game before the visitors got off to a dream start after a Jayden Seales delivery cannoned off a David Warner inside edge into the stumps to dismiss the veteran opener for just five.

Despite some skilful West Indies bowling, Khawaja and Labuschagne remained impenetrable through lunch.

At 1-for-72, the Australians began improving the run-rate as Labuschagne and Khawaja both cruised towards fifties.

Labuschagne reached his half-century first before the partnership surpassed triple-digits.

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Khawaja followed him past 50 shortly after.

A breakthrough came shortly before tea when a Kyle Mayers peach found the edge of Khawaja and stuck in keeper Joshua da Silva’s gloves to dismiss the opener for 65 off 149.

Labuschagne was fortunate not to follow Khawaja back to the pavilion the following over when he edged one over the head of the six-foot-seven Jason Holder in the slips cordon.

Instead, he and Smith powered on after tea as the 28-year-old brought up his eighth Test century off 192 balls.

Smith hit a 75-ball half-century as Labuschagne journeyed past 150 before surviving a few late-afternoon pearlers from the West Indian quicks.

Seales and Mayers were the wicket-takers whilst Holder finished an economical 0-for-29 off 16 overs.

Roston Chase proved a source of runs for the Australians with the offspinner finishing 0-for-63 off 15 overs.

Play resumes this afternoon (AEDT) with Smith eyeing his 29th Test century and Labuschagne a double-ton.