BRIDGETOWN (Barbados), June 13: Australia were struggling at 226 for the loss of seven wickets after a rain-shortened first day of the third Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval here on Thursday.

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo claimed three wickets and Andrew Symonds made a crucial half-century for the tourists in a lively opening to the final Test of the series which Australia lead 1-0.

With the evening session lost to the weather, Australia will start again on Friday with Brett Lee and debutant spinner Beau Casson at the crease on what has been a lively wicket with plenty of pace and bounce.

It was a surface which ensured plenty of entertaining cricket and left the game enticingly poised.

Returning captain Chris Gayle won the toss and invited Ricky Ponting’s side to bat and was rewarded with Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor both generating some impressive pace.

But it was Bravo, less quick but more varied, who was the most dangerous.

Australia, who lost three batsmen to hook shots, were positive from the outset scoring at an impressive rate. But at the close Ponting, who hit two sixes in one over in the first session, will likely reflect his batsmen were too adventurous.

After Phil Jaques and Katich made a brisk start, putting on 46 inside 11 overs for the first wicket, Taylor struck when Jaques top-edged an attempted pull shot and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin ran back to safely pouch a high catch.

Ponting came in and hit two sixes in one over off Daren Powell but went for 18 after he was trapped leg before by Taylor.

Mike Hussey then fell into a trap from Bravo — hooking the medium-pacer straight to Powell at fine-leg who took an excellent catch on the ropes.

Bravo struck again in the same over with a superb delivery to dismiss Michael Clarke, the ball moving away from the batsman who nicked it to Ramdin — Australia were 98 for four at lunch.

The afternoon session began with Katich removed by Edwards — the fiery Barbadian pace bowler’s rising delivery caught out Katich as he attempted to hook and Gayle raced back from slip to take a good catch.

With Australia at 111 for five, West Indies were looking to get into the lower order.

They had a chance when Symonds, on seven, flashed a drive from Bravo into the slips but Xavier Marshall could not hold it.

Symonds took charge, putting on 87 with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin before the latter was trapped leg before by recalled slow left-armer Sulieman Benn. Shortly before tea, Symonds reached his half-century from 78 balls featuring five fours and a six.

The muscular Queenslander, who has had some verbal battles with opposing bowlers throughout the series, looked well set for a big knock but after tea Bravo finally got his man.

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