Third Test, Bridgetown: Australia 320-3 (day one close) v West Indies

Ponting has already made three centuries in the series More photos from Bridgetown

Australia continued their dominance over the West Indies to take control of the third Test of the series after the first day.

Ricky Ponting hit his third century of the series after Brian Lara had put the tourists into bat.

Ponting was finally run out for 113 while Darren Lehmann was 89 not out and Steve Waugh unbeaten on seven.

Australia got off to a flying start and although their run rate slowed in the afternoon sessions, the hosts were left facing an uphill struggle to win the Test to keep the series alive.

Matthew Hayden was the first wicket to fall, edging Vasbert Drakes to Chris Gayle at slip, who clung onto a juggling catch.

Hayden was dismissed for 27 in the eighth over after he and Langer had launched the innings at a rate of over five runs per over.

Opener Justin Langer was the only wicket to fall in the lunch to tea session, after surviving three chances before finally being dismissed.

Langer was dropped on 0, 4 and should have been run out on 68 before he skied Omair Banks to Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the covers aftr making 78.

Lara put his faith in one of the most inexperienced new ball pairings in West Indies Test history as Lawson, making his sixth Test appearance, opened up with debutant Tino Best.

Langer was dropped twice before he made double figures

It almost paid off as Lawson's opening delivery found the edge of Langer's bat but fell fractionally short of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

And there was another let-off for Langer when he offered a return catch to Lawson, having made only four, and the tall Jamaican put it down.

Wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh gave Langer another let-off when he fumbled the ball when removing the bails with the opener short of his crease.

Ponting was in majestic form, but also had his share of good fortune when Chanderpaul dropped him in the gully off Best.

Best got his revenge when Ponting took on his arm in the deep and the debutant produced the perfect throw to catch him short of his ground.

The home side made five changes with Lawson and Best coming into the side, along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and off-spinner Omari Banks.

Australia made one alteration to their side with seam bowler Glenn McGrath returning in place of left-arm spinner Brad Hogg.

Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Andrew Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Daren Ganga, Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carlton Baugh (wkt), Vasbert Drakes, Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best, Omari Banks.

Umpires: David Shepherd (Eng), Srinivas Venkataraghaven (Ind)