Chanderpaul was at the centre of the session's primary drama, surviving a raucous caught behind appeal by Doug Bollinger and the subsequent challenge, which failed to provide conclusive proof of an edge despite an audible noise.

Captain Chris Gayle (26) and the recalled Ramnaresh Sarwan (28) squandered sound pre-lunch starts while Adrian Barath fell cheaply in an underwhelming follow-up to his stirring Brisbane century.

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Bollinger (2-32) bowled with plenty of bounce and enthusiasm for the Australians, dismissing Gayle the day after the Caribbean skipper had been unable to name him.

Mitchell Johnson (1-44) claimed the wicket of Sarwan, and Peter Siddle (0-50) went unrewarded despite producing many of the best deliveries of the morning.

Gayle had won an important toss, batting first in pristine conditions, and in the early overs he seemed intent on making the most of it.

One flick to the midwicket boundary off Bollinger drew coos of approval from the members, and there was more when he followed up by smiting the same bowler straight for six.

Barath was less comfortable, and on three he sliced Bollinger into the gully where Mike Hussey took an athletic catch.

Gayle was given something to remind him of Bollinger on 26, when a prancing delivery cramped him into an edge that was pouched one-handed by a leaping Brad Haddin as Bollinger celebrated with typical relish.

Sarwan and Chanderpaul steadied momentarily from an unsteady 2-39, adding 45 with a handful of firm shots in between fortunate edges.

Sarwan, though, would waste his platform, driving Johnson limply to point having survived far better deliveries in the course of his 28.

Chanderpaul and Nash made it to the interval, but the latter was struck on the arm by Johnson shortly before leaving the field and did not return afterwards.

Bravo proved an adept replacement, striking handsome offside drives while Chanderpaul settled in for the afternoon.

Bollinger was convinced he had Chanderpaul out for 38, but the source of the noise could not adequately be explained even after the Australians had challenged umpire Mark Benson's not out decision, and the batsman stayed put.