Cricket: Australia take control of second Test

Australia's Michael Hussey plays a hot for six runs during the second day of their second cricket Test match against the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Photo / AP

Australia have taken control of the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad after Michael Clarke pulled another surprise move today.

After Australia were dismissed for 311 in their first innings at Queen's Park Oval, Clarke opted for left-arm spinner Michael Beer to open the bowling for the Windies' innings.

The shock move paid off as the Windies limped to be 3-49 at stumps with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1no) and Darren Bravo (16no) at the crease.

Beer (1-22) and Ben Hilfenhaus (1-12) didn't concede a run for five overs at the start of the Windies innings, with Hilfenhaus removing Kraigg Brathwaite (0) in the process.

Beer, playing in just his second Test, also had success when he trapped opener Adrian Barath (7) lbw in the 13th over.

The West Australian is the first specialist spin bowler to take the new ball in the first innings for Australia since 1938.

James Pattinson (1-6), playing in his first Test since breaking down after the clash with India in Sydney in January, also had a great day back in the baggy green.

The 21-year-old combined with Michael Hussey in a vital 89-run seventh wicket stand to take Australia's score past 300, scoring 32 as Hussey top-scored with 73.

Pattinson then struck with his first ball, claiming Kieran Powell lbw for 19 though replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump and the Windies batsman would have been reprieved if he had reviewed the decision.

The late drama overshadowed Australia's innings, which was twice interrupted by rain, with Kemar Roach claiming the third five-wicket haul of his career to finish with 5-105.

Windies spinners Narsingh Deonarine and Shane Shillingford took the other wickets.

Deonarine finished with 2-32 including the vital wicket of Hussey which ended the partnership with Pattinson to go with his capture of Clarke on day one.

Shillingford, who was unlucky not to get Hussey on 47 when wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh bungled a stumping opportunity, finished with 3-92 in his first Test since late 2010.

Play resumes at 0930 on Wednesday (2330 AEST).

-AAP