Carey bails Australia out but West Indies on top

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has made his own luck with the bat after enjoying a huge slice of it to give Australia hope despite West Indies skittling the top order at the Gabba.

The left-hander blasted 65 from 49 deliveries as the hosts reached 7-161 at dinner on the second day of the first Test after a bizarre moment that turned the session.

Carey was on eight, and Australia 5-72, when a ripping delivery from Shamar Joseph hit the bail at the top of off stump.

The bail rotated in its groove but did not dislodge and Carey somehow survived.

From that moment, Carey found top gear with an assortment of cover drives and reverse sweeps.

Usman Khawaja, unbeaten on 40 at dinner, was a rock at the other end in a 96-run stand for the sixth wicket.

West Indies, who reached 311 all out earlier in the day, remain in the box seat after ripping through Australia’s top order.

Steve Smith, yet to fire as an opener, shuffled too far across his crease and was given out lbw on review for just six to the last ball of Kemar Roach’s first over.

Kemar Roach celebrates the wicket of Travis Head, his third scalp of Australia’s first innings (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Marnus Labuschagne (three) was then brilliantly caught next over by a diving Kevin Sinclair at fourth slip off Alzarri Joseph (3-41).

Roach’s (3-23) last two balls before the first break brought pure joy to the tourists.

Cameron Green (eight), who returned a negative COVID-19 test before play, drove straight to captain Kraigg Brathwaite at cover before Travis Head was well caught down the legside next delivery by Joshua Da Silva.

Mitch Marsh (21) played his shots at the start of the second session but he was undone by the pace of Alzarri Joseph when he tried to pull a thunderbolt that hit high on his bat and spooned to mid-on.

Kevin Sinclair (right) is congratulated on his half-century by teammate Shamar Joseph. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Earlier, an accomplished maiden half-century on debut by offspinner Sinclair lifted West Indies to a competitive first-innings total.

Sinclair (50) and veteran paceman Roach (eight) added 31 for the ninth wicket after the visitors resumed at 8-266 on Friday.

Sinclair, cool as a cucumber on debut, boasts a first-class record that suggests he is no mug with the bat.

The 24-year-old now has nine first-class half-centuries, with a highest score of 86.

West Indies did well to recover from 5-64 to set Australia a competitive total.

No.5 batter Kavem Hodge (71) and wicketkeeper Da Silva (79) were the stars on day one, while left-armer Mitchell Starc (4-82) was the pick of the Australian bowlers.