Windies struggle in Australia tour opener

West Indies made a shaky start to their tour of Australia, limping to 154-6 on a rain-affected opening day against a Cricket Australia XI at Brisbane's Allan Border Field.

Darren Bravo (46 not out) was the only batsman to make a significant contribution as a largely inexperienced home team made regular inroads.

James Bazley, one of six players in the Cricket Australia XI making his first-class debut, accounted for openers Rajendra Chandrika (10) and Kraigg Brathwaite (21) as the Windies made slow progress prior to an early lunch.

The defiant Bravo held firm for 135 balls, but lacked support as Marlon Samuels (19), Jermaine Blackwood (1) and Denesh Ramdin (0) fell in quick succession to leave the score reading 83-5.

Skipper Jason Holder lifted the tempo with 26 from 34 balls before becoming a second victim for Simon Milenko.

Bravo then shared 39 with Carlos Brathwaite, who struck two sixes on his way to 25 not out, before showers brought play to a premature end.

The first Test between Australia and West Indies starts in Hobart next Thursday.