Australia fight for survival after collapse

A 52-run, fifth-wicket stand between Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds stabilised Australia before lunch, but their batting continued its meltdown in the second innings in the opening Test against West Indies on Sunday.

At the interval, Australia, leading by 119 runs from the first innings, were 93 for six in their second innings with Symonds not out on 30 and Brad Haddin not out on 10.

Hodge and Symonds added 52 for the fifth wicket, after Australia crashed to 18 for 5, when nightwatchman Mitchell Johnson was caught behind off Daren Powell for four in the first over of the morning.

Australia had continued from their bed time total of 17 for 4, and the early wicket would have been the right tonic for West Indies.

But Symonds joined Hodge and they steadied the ship with circumspect batting punctuated with the odd boundary. Symonds came close to being run out on 11 though, when Hodge failed to respond to his urgings for a second run.

Fortunate for the Australian batsman, Powell's throw to Denesh Ramdin was wide of the mark, and the West Indies wicketkeeper had too much work to do to complete the run out.

Just when it appeared that the two Australian batsmen were getting into the thick of things, Hodge was caught behind off Dwayne Bravo for 27 edging a well-pitched leg-cutter that Ramdin swooped low to clutch with his right hand.

Daren Powell has been the most successful West Indies bowler with three wickets for 20 runs from 12 overs, and Fidel Edwards has supported with two for 38 from 13 overs.

Australia have won 12 of the last 13 Tests they have contested against West Indies. They hold the Frank Worrell Trophy - symbol of Test supremacy against Windies - and they have not lost a Test series in Caribbean since 1991.