Queensland 0 for 43 trail West Indians 271 (Sarwan 73, Doran 3-107) by 228 runs
Scorecard

Ramnaresh Sarwan guided the West Indians with a valuable 73 as they posted 271 at Allan Border Field © Getty Images Enlarge

Related Links News : Clarke welcomes return of Gayle News : Gayle in line for first Test return Report : Hard Aussie baptism toughened up Sarwan News : Mother's illness sends Gayle home News : Barath hopes for shot at Australia News : Alister McDermott named for first-class debut Players/Officials: Chris Gayle | Ramnaresh Sarwan Matches: Queensland v West Indians at Brisbane Series/Tournaments: West Indies tour of Australia | Australian Domestic Season Teams: Australia | West Indies

The West Indians received an immediate view of life without the captain Chris Gayle when both openers fell cheaply and they were dismissed for 271 against Queensland. Gayle flew out of Australia on Wednesday to be with his sick mother in Jamaica and shortly after he left Allan Border Field his side was in trouble at 2 for 10, relying on Ramnaresh Sarwan's 73 to boost an unconvincing total.

With Gayle in doubt for the first Test next week, the West Indians are looking for candidates at the top of the order and both Adrian Barath and Travis Dowlin did not make an impact on a muggy morning in Brisbane. Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo produced useful contributions as they adjusted to the conditions, but the order's inexperienced members struggled against a Queensland outfit carrying two opening bowlers on first-class debut.

The visiting attack was led by Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach, who gained a couple of appeals but no breakthroughs in the 10 overs before bad light intervened. Queensland finished the day at 0 for 43 with Ryan Broad on 25 and Nick Kruger, who was hit on the back by Roach in the last over, 17 not out.

Barath, who is the opener most likely to face Australia on November 26, spent 20 balls without scoring and inside-edged Luke Feldman behind to follow the departure of his partner. Dowlin (2) did not offer a shot to Alister McDermott and was bowled in the third over after the visitors won the toss.

While the conditions offered swing and were uncomfortable for the batsmen in the early stages, the tourists will experience a large step up in intensity at the Gabba. The reliable pair of Sarwan and Chanderpaul were largely untroubled as they put on 67 to steady the visitors, but Chanderpaul departed for 41 after top edging a pull to fine-leg off Nathan Reardon shortly before lunch.

Sarwan was comfortable taking his time and gained the most from the day, moving to 73 off 165 deliveries in a valuable tune-up. He drove purposely against the pace of McDermott and also pulled him for a powerful boundary during his stand of 85 with Bravo. The side needed his input and he was reluctant to leave when given out to an edge behind that provided Feldman with his second wicket.

Bravo stayed for an eventful hour either side of lunch and raced to 49 from 53 balls thanks mainly to his attacking of the legspinner Daniel Doran. It was the sort of showing that makes him such an attractive limited-overs player, but he will be required to tone down if he holds his place at No. 5 during the Tests.

A long-hop was lifted into the Stuart Law Stand and in the next over he thrashed Doran for two sixes and drove him for a delightful four through mid-off. The captain Chris Simpson kept persevering with Doran and was rewarded with an edge at first slip.

Brendan Nash was playing against his old state and had moved to 11 when he clipped Nathan Rimmington, his old flatmate, to McDermott at square leg. The dismissal left the West Indians at a wobbly 5 for 192 and the situation became worse with Sarwan's exit.

Narsingh Deonarine improved the score during a bright 22 and the captain Denesh Ramdin added 20 before nicking to the wicketkeeper Chris Hartley. The innings ended with Rampaul giving Hartley his fourth catch as Doran finished with 3 for 107 off 23 overs.