BRISBANE, Oct 28: Opening batsman Devon Smith plundered a strong Queensland bowling attack for a century as the West Indies maintained a promising opening to their Australian cricket tour on Friday.

The 24-year-old Grenada left-hander hit 115 with 21 boundaries in 226 minutes as the West Indies got away to an opening stand of 130.

The other opener Chris Gayle chipped in with 58 as the tourists went to stumps on the second day at 252 for three off 66.2 overs in reply to Queensland’s first innings 323.

The tourists moved to within 71 runs of the Queensland total in an encouraging showing ahead of next Thursday’s opening Test against Australia at the Gabba.

Smith came into the four-day tour opener vying with all-rounder Wavell Hinds to be Gayle’s Test opening batting partner but has nailed down the spot with his entertaining hundred.

Hinds broke a little finger while fielding on Thursday and Smith’s commanding 197-ball knock has ensured a start in at least the first two Tests in the three-match series.

Smith’s only blemish was a low edge off leg-spinner Ryan Le Loux that was dropped at slip by Martin Love when he was 43 before he holed out to spinner Chris Simpson late in the day.

Smith and Gayle combined for a quick-fire century stand before wicketkeeper Chris Hartley dismissed Gayle (58) with a neat leg-side catch off leg-spinner Ryan Le Loux.

Play was delayed for three hours after overnight storms flooded the outfield.

Scoreboard

Queensland (1st innings 323) (R. Le Loux 63, M. Love 55, A. Symonds 55; D. Powell 4-58, D. Bravo 3-86)

West Indies (1st innings) (13 for 0 overnight)

C. Gayle c Hartley b Le Loux 58

D. Smith c Hopes b Simpson 115

R. Sarwan stpd Hartley b Symonds 37

M. Samuels not out 20

S. Chanderpaul not out 11

Extras (b2, w2, nb7) 11

Total (3 wkts, 66.2 overs) 252

Fall of wkts: 1-130, 2-193, 3-237

Bowling: Johnson 7-1-33-0 (2nb), Kasprowicz 13-4-48-0 (2nb, 2w), Watson 7.2-0-40-0 (3nb), Le Loux 10-0-46-1, Simpson 11-2-50-1, Symonds 11-6-17-1, Hopes 7-3-16-0.—AFP