Half-centuries by Beau Webster (60) and Alex Carey (63) batted Australia into a strong position with 286 on the board by stumps at the National Stadium in St George’s, having recovered from 5-110 shortly after lunch.

That first innings total is 106 more than they managed batting first on day one in last week’s series opener in Barbados, and looks a particularly imposing score considering captain Pat Cummins’ dismissal to a short delivery that almost hit him on the ankles in the final session.

Having joined Webster following his 112-run sixth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Carey, Cummins (17 off 20 balls) immediately went on the attack by thumping Justin Greaves (1-35) twice to fence through the off-side.