BRIDGETOWN, May 1: West Indies off-spinner Omari Banks took his first Test wicket on Thursday as Australian opener Justin Langer’s luck finally ran out.

Langer enjoyed three let-offs before he fell victim to Banks for 78 as Australia made a typically strong start to the third Test, reaching 197 for two at tea on the first day.

Ricky Ponting, who made a double century in the second Test, was unbeaten on 69 and Darren Lehman on 22. The two had so far added 38 runs with Lehman the dominating partner.

Langer sliced Banks to cover where he was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul as the 20-year-old, the first player from the tiny island of Anguilla to be picked for the Test side, made his breakthrough.

Langer had his first escape from the opening ball of the day when he edged Jermaine Lawson but Chanderpaul failed to take a difficult slip catch.

The second chance was much more blatant. This time Langer drove a return catch to Lawson, but the bowler inexplicably failed to hang on at the second attempt after the ball popped out of his hands.

Langer survived again on 68 when he was left stranded following a mix-up with Ponting. Lawson fielded the ball and threw to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, who clumsily missed the ball while knocking down the stumps.

He took advantage by hitting Banks for six over wide long-on in the next over before his luck finally ran out two overs later.

Banks and fellow debutant Tino Best were both given a hot reception by the Australian batsman who punished an inexperienced attack that featured four bowlers with only nine Test wickets between them.

Australia made one change from the second Test. Fast bowler Glenn McGrath came in for spinner Brad Hogg who had a disappointing second Test.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA (1st Innings):