Cricket: West Indies require heroics against Australia

Darren Bravo drives against Australia. Photo / Getty

In a match not short of batting heroics, plenty more are required from West Indies veteran Darren Bravo in the first Test against Australia in Hobart today.

Bravo (94no) is in sight of his seventh Test ton after steering the tourists to 207-6 at stumps on day two - still trailing Australia by 376.

Bravo has been impressive but still has a hard act to follow.

Adam Voges (269no) and Shaun Marsh (182) earlier combined to post 449 - a new Test record stand for the fourth wicket.

It helped the hosts post 583-4 declared in their first dig.

The only Windies batsman in the touring squad to average 40 or more with the bat, Bravo must continue his love affair with overseas decks if the tourists are to salvage anything from the three-Test series opener.

Five of his six Test tons to date have been struck away from home.

The 26-year-old left-hander's Test away average is 54.06. At home it's 31.25.

Bravo has already earned comparisons with his idol Brian Lara.

"Hopefully tomorrow he can come back and score big for us," said paceman Kemar Roach (31no) who has combined with Bravo in an unbeaten 91-run seventh wicket stand.

"I have been expecting a lot from Bravo. He works hard.

"He just needs to apply himself more. He can go on and score a lot more hundreds for the West Indies."

Bravo received a life on 74 when his nick off Josh Hazlewood (2-43) sailed between an unsighted Adam Voges and an unmoved Steve Smith in the slips.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-43) looms as the main threat for the West Indies in his 50th Test.

- AAP