Georgetown: Australia was 120 for one in reply to the West Indies' first innings 237 at the close of the opening day of the first cricket Test at the Bourda ground here on Thursday.

Justin Langer was unbeaten on 55 with Ricky Ponting not out 46.

Earlier, local hero Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashed one of the fastest centuries in Test cricket as the West Indies fought a rearguard action against Australia on the opening day of the first Test here on Thursday.

It was the third fastest recorded century by deliveries following West Indian Viv Richard's 56 balls against England in Antigua in 1985-86 and Jack Gregory's 67-ball century for Australia against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921-22.

The 28-year-old Guyanese left-hander cracked 15 fours and two sixes as the Windies fought back from 89 for five at lunch to add 147 runs in the mid-afternoon session.

Chanderpaul brought the home crowd cheering to their feet as he reached his century with a flourishing cover drive off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

He has now scored three of his Test seven centuries at the Bourda ground.

Chanderpaul and Jacobs shared a 131-run stand in 143 balls, with Jacobs (54) batting with a runner after injuring his upper left leg trying to sweep MacGill.

Chanderpaul had to be helped from the ground upon his dismissal when he was trapped lbw by Andy Bichel and struck on the inside of his left knee.

The decision by Sri Lankan umpire Asoka de Silva was dubious and followed other poor decisions by de Silva and South African Rudi Koertzen to give Devon Smith (three) and Merv Dillon (20 from 17 balls) out leg before.

Australia broke with their usual strategy by playing five specialist bowlers, including spinners Hogg and MacGill.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh was playing in his 157th Test to pass former Australian captain Allan Border's world record 156 Test matches.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Highest Test-cap record nothing to crow about: Waugh