Aussies fight on sluggish pitch

Australia reached 267 for six at lunch on the second day of the second Test against West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad yesterday.
The visitors resumed the day on 208 for five with Michael Hussey and Matthew Wade the overnight batsman, having put on a useful 30-run partnership after both men had survived dropped catches the previous evening. West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach made sure that the partnership did not add any runs on the second morning as he had Wade caught at first slip off the eighth ball of the day.
Thereafter Hussey, who resumed on 26, batted with his usual composure, building a 59-run seventh wicket stand with fast bowler James Pattinson. Hussey was unbeaten on 54 at lunch and Pattinson was batting on 21.
On the first day, Shane Watson hit a patient half-century on a slow Queen's Park Oval pitch.
Watson was Australia's top scorer, making a solid 56 in 219 minutes.
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.
Australia, who won the first Test in Barbados by three wickets, decided to play two spinners for the first time in nearly four years, with Michael Beer coming in to partner Nathan Lyon.
Warner (29) and Ed Cowan (28) put on 53 for the first wicket to provide the foundation for Australia, while seamer Kemar Roach was the pick of the West Indies seam attack.
He removed Cowan and later Ricky Ponting (seven) before the tea interval.