McGrath's control of line and length was exemplary

Superb bowling by Glenn McGrath gave Australia the upper hand in the first Test against West Indies in Brisbane.

McGrath took 4-58 as the tourists struggled to 182-6 at stumps and their position would have been even worse but for Devon Smith's defiant 88.

He was eventually bowled by McGrath in the final session which ended early due to bad light with Dinesh Ramdin 12 not out and Daren Powell on four.

Australia had earlier totalled 435, adding 95 to their overnight 340-7.

It's going to be tough making 236 to avoid the follow on From MC Have your say on TMS

After rain delayed the start for almost half an hour, Brett Lee and Shane Warne extended their eighth wicket partnership to 75 before Warne was caught behind off Powell's first ball of the day for 47.

Lee stood up well to a battering from the West Indies pace attack but allowed a huge six, which travelled an estimated 490 feet and came to earth in a practice area behind the stand, to go to his head.

That's probably the biggest six I've ever seen Glenn McGrath More close of play reaction

He attempted another powerful shot off Powell's next delivery and gave Corey Collymore a simple catch at mid-on, departing for the same score as Warne.

Nathan Bracken, playing only his fourth Test and his first since January 2004, showed plenty of resilience as he survived for over an hour for 37 before edging a ball from Fidel Edwards to Ramnaresh Sarwan shortly after lunch.

The pressure was on the West Indies openers as they came out to begin the reply and although they made a positive start, it was cut short in the fifth over when McGrath found the edge of Chris Gayle's bat and he was caught behind for 10.

Smith needed treatment after being struck by a ferocious short ball from Lee, but he kept his composure to reach 50 off only 69 balls.

Lee checks on Devon Smith's health at The Gabba

Sarwan helped Smith add 54 for the second wicket, making 21 before he became the second victim of the McGrath/Adam Gilchrist combination.

Brian Lara showed signs of a return to form as he hit a six and three fours in reaching 30 but was then lbw to Lee with the total on 134.

TV replays suggested Lara was unlucky, with doubts about whether or not the ball hit the bat before striking his pad and whether it would have missed leg stump in any event.

Shane Warne picked up the wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was well caught by a diving Bracken at wide mid-on for two, and Marlon Samuels followed for five when he edged to the keeper - the 100th West Indies wicket taken by McGrath in Tests.

But the real body blow came just four over before the close as McGrath bowled Smith to bring his four-hour innings to a close.

The Grenadian, who had earlier been dropped by Ricky Ponting at silly point off Warne, misjudged the line and shouldered arms, denying himself the opportunity of completing a second Test hundred.