Cricket: Ponting hurt as Aussies take control

Ricky Ponting was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow. Photo / Getty Images

PERTH - Ricky Ponting was left bruised and battered and Simon Katich heartbroken but Australia still took the honours on an intriguing opening day of the third test against the West Indies at the WACA Ground.

Australia went to stumps in complete control at 339-3, with Mike Hussey (81 not out) easing the mounting pressure on his spot and Marcus North (23 not out) also unbeaten at the crease.

Earlier in the day, Ponting retired hurt on 23 and was rushed to hospital for scans after a searing bouncer from Windies paceman Kemar Roach (1-67) struck him just above the left elbow.

The Australian captain, who copped the blow on his second ball at the crease and another to the ribs straight after but bravely batted on for 40 more minutes, was cleared of any bone damage and will resume at the crease when needed.

But it wasn't only Ponting feeling the pain, with Katich left emotionally wounded after falling for 99 for the second time in his career shortly after tea.

Katich, who was dropped by Travis Dowlin on 82, attempted to bring up his ton with a sweep off spinner Sulieman Benn but watched in horror as the ball went straight to Roach at backward square leg.

It continued Australia's century hoodoo, with Shane Watson falling for 89 earlier in the day.

In the first two tests of the series, Australian players posted 10 half-centuries, with nobody going on to reach a ton, although Hussey has the chance to break that trend today.

Hussey reeled off nine boundaries in his 177-minute knock to silence the critics who had questioned his worth to the side following his recent lean trot in the test arena.

Watson, who made 96 in the drawn Adelaide test, was dropped on seven by Chris Gayle at first slip.

The all-rounder made the most of the reprieve, cracking 15 boundaries to help swing the early momentum Australia's way.

But just as Watson appeared set to notch his maiden ton he was brought undone by a peach of a delivery from Roach, which found the batsman's outside edge and sailed through to the 'keeper, ending the 132-run opening stand.

Australia were reduced to 277-3 when Michael Clarke (11) scooped an easy catch straight to Gayle at short mid-on, but Hussey and North combined for an unbeaten 62-run stand to see out the day.

Meanwhile, mid-pitch contact between Ponting and Dwayne Bravo, and the stern exchange of words that followed, could be looked at by the match referee.

Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz shook off a heavy knock to his spinning finger to take his place in the side with the only change being Clint McKay in for Peter Siddle (hamstring).

The West Indies made three changes - two of them forced - to the side that had Australia on the ropes in the drawn Adelaide test.

As expected, key batting pair Shiv Chanderpaul (finger) and Adrian Barath (hamstring) were replaced by Travis Dowlin and Narsingh Deonarine (1-52), with 26-year-old right-arm paceman Gavin Tonge (0-65) a surprise inclusion for Darren Sammy.

- AAP