MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja confidently brought up unbeaten half centuries to guide Australia to 193-1 at tea Saturday, the opening day of the second test against the West Indies.
Burns and Khawaja shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 164 runs - including 122 in the afternoon session - against some mixed West Indies bowling after Australia was sent in to bat following a delay of an hour due to rain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The only wicket to fall was that of opener David Warner, who stroked five boundaries in the first three overs, scoring 23 off 12 balls before skying a short-pitched Jerome Taylor (1-48) delivery to Marlon Samuels at extra-cover.
After working cautiously up to the lunch break, Burns and Khawaja batted more expansively in the second session, confidently playing shots and taking advantage of some lackluster West Indies fielding to keep the runs flowing.
At the tea break, Burns was 83 not out for his fourth test half century from seven matches, with 13 boundaries.
Khawaja who missed the previous two tests with a left hamstring injury, was unbeaten on 84 with four fours and a six.
Apart from Taylor's early breakthrough, Holder was the best of the West Indies bowlers with five maidens in his 13 overs to return figures of 0-19.
The West Indies missed an opportunity to remove Khawaja early in his innings, but the chance was dropped at gully off Taylor with the batsman on 23.
Khawaja's inclusion came at the expense of Shaun Marsh, who scored 182 runs in the opening test at Hobart, which Australia won by an innings and 212 runs.
The West Indies named Carlos Brathwaite (0-42) for his test debut, replacing injured paceman Shannon Gabriel. Brathwaite has played seven one-day internationals.
Legspinner Devendra Bishoo, who was also considered a possible replacement for Gabriel, was unavailable for selection after injuring his left shoulder in training. Team management said Saturday that Bishoo will undergo scans for what is a suspected rotor cuff injury.
