The 2003 World Cup champions, who are aiming to reclaim their number one ranking in Test cricket, had made a positive reply by the close and in 135 minutes batting were 120 for one with opener Justin Langer unbeaten on 55 and vice-captain Ricky Ponting 46.

The two, who joined forces when Matthew Hayden was needlessly run-out by a direct throw from Vasbert Drakes at mid-on, have so far featured in an unfinished second-wicket partnership of 83 in 91 minutes.

The day however belonged to Chanderpaul despite the West Indies’ shaky position. Sharing a face-saving electrifying sixth-wicket partnership of 131 in just 101 minutes with injured wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs who was undefeated on 54 when the innings closed, Chanderpaul thrilled the fair-sized Bourda crowd with a series of scintillating strokes in his boundary-studded even century.

In an incredible display, Chanderpaul raced to three-figure mark off 69 balls to register the third fastest century in Test cricket, bettered only by Sir Vivian Richards 56-ball knock against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) in 1986 and Australian J.M. Gregory’s 67-ball effort versus South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921.

But apart from Jacobs and to a lesser extent skipper Brian Lara, the rest of the home team’s batting crumbled against a steady Australian bowling attack

Chanderpaul, who surprisingly batted at number six in a team which is missing the likes of former captain Carl Hooper, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and opener Chris Gayle, strode to the middle with the West Indies staring down the barrel at 47 for four, due mainly to some reckless strokeplay and coupled with the first of some questionable umpiring decisions.

The Guyanese left-hander, who entered the match with centuries in his last two regional innings against the Windward Islands and Jamaica respectively, immediately stamped his authority on proceedings with an effortless on-driven boundary off fast bowler Andy Bichel and by lunch had stroked four more in his 28 not out, and already showing signs of what was to unfold. His partner Jacobs was on 13 and West Indies 89 for five.

Chanderpaul had looked on from the pavilion as debutant Devon Smith (three) was adjudged lbw off fast bowler Brett Lee in the day’s fifth over with only nine runs on the board, Television replays showed the 21-year-old Grenadian was unlucky to be given out after clearly getting an inside edge to the full-length delivery.

Daren Ganga, (0) in his first Test in the Caribbean, was beaten and bowled by fast bowler Jason Gillespie from a delivery that kept appreciably low and which caught the right-hander on the back-foot instead of being forward.

Lara, who joined Wavell Hinds, launched a counter-attack on the Australian pace attack with a series of deft drives, especially through the off-side, including two spanking consecutive cover drives for fours off Gillespie.

A double blow by wily left-arm spinner Brad Hogg with the score on 47 as Lara looked on helplessly from the other end must have stunned the West Indies skipper. Hinds, who looked solid, if not flamboyant against the pacers, opened up with a splendid extra cover drive in Hogg’s first over and in attempting to repeat the stroke in the next, lofted the bowler straight to Langer at mid-off.

Disaster struck the very next ball when new batsman, Marlon Samuels, driving loosely, edged and was snapped up at slip by a delighted Hayden.

Worse was to come for the West Indies as six runs later, Lara’s cameo ended with the upraised finger of umpire Asoka de Silva who took his leisurely time to adjudge him lbw for 26 with the score on 53.

It was ‘showtime’ after that, with Chanderpaul taking centre stage and Jacobs playing second fiddle.

Batting as if possessed after lunch, Chanderpaul raced to 50 off 37 balls in 64 minutes, reaching the milestone with a huge six over mid-wicket off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

Chanderpaul then unleashed an attack on the leg-spinner, taking 14 off one over including his second six in the same direction, an exquisite straight drive and a glance to fine leg.

The Australians spoiled an opportunity to separate the two when Jacobs on 25 was dropped by Lee at extra cover off a returning Gillespie.

Undaunted by Jacobs’ chance, Chanderpaul continued his merciless attack on the spinners, taking a special liking for MacGill and was soon into the nineties, counting two more fours off the Australian, the first a neat flick through backward square-leg and the other through backward point.

A super cool and confident Chanderpaul reached his seventh Test century and his second consecutive at Bourda with a superlative cover drive off MacGill, his last 72 runs since lunch coming in just 59 minutes off 32 balls while the hundred included 15 fours, two sixes and a five in 99 minutes.

The incredible performance followed the 140 made against India at the same venue last year when former captain Carl Hooper also slammed an unbeaten 233 in the rain-affected first Test.

Chanderpaul celebrated by punching the air and his now customary kissing of the pitch. His celebration however did not last long as he was given marching orders, via lbw, while writhing in agony on the pitch, victim of a bruised knee suffered when struck by fast bowler Bichel. Chanderpaul left the Bourda sward like a Royalty, driven off on the motorised water cart but still received a standing ovation from his home crowd. He was seen hobbling into the pavilion.

In the meantime, Jacobs was still hobbling around in the middle, with Hinds as his runner after being struck attempting a sweep shot off MacGill. This did not prevent him from launching into Bichel and hoisting the big fast bowler out of the ground over long-on for six while Mervyn Dillon also joined the fray with some fine shots.

If the umpire’s decision to send Lara on his way took a long time, many fans at Bourda seemed dumbfounded when umpire de Silva, in what must be rated as one of the longest time to make an lbw decision, sent Dillon on his way for 20 after he had added a valuable 38 with Jacobs. The delayed decision followed several pleas from MacGill.

Jacobs eventually reached a brave half-century but was left high and dry on 54 after Pedro Collins (three) was stumped off MacGill and Lawson’s middle stump was rocked back by Lee. Jacobs’ innings included six fours and a six in 162 minutes off 106 balls.

The Australian pair of Langer and Hayden started with their usual gusto but at 37, the latter was run-out by inches, attempting a sharp single to Drakes at mid-on -- the TV umpire coming into action for the first time during the hectic day which saw 357 runs being scored for the loss of 11 wickets.

The left-right combination of Langer and Ponting was hardly ever bothered, with the latter reminding fans of his match-winning performance in the World Cup final with some elegant drives and pulls.

Play starts at 09.35 hrs today after bad light had halted play yesterday with nine overs still remaining.

WEST INDIES first innings

W. Hinds c Langer b Hogg 10

D. Smith lbw Lee 3

D. Ganga b Gillespie 0

B. Lara lbw Bichel 26

M. Samuels c Hayden b Hogg 0

S. Chanderpaul lbw Bichel 100

R. Jacobs not out 54

V. Drakes c wkpr Gilchrist b Bichel 0

M. Dillon lbw MacGill 20

P. Collins stp. wkpr Gilchrist b MacGill 3

J. Lawson b Lee 0

Extras: (b-10, lb-2, nb-6, w-3) 21

Total: (all out, 50.3 overs) 237

Fall of wickets: 9, 10, 47, 47, 53, 184, 184, 222, 236, 237.

Bowling: Lee 10.3-1-40-1 (nb-5, w-3), Gillespie 12-3-40-1, Bichel 8-1-55-3, Hogg 8-1-40-2, MacGill 12-4-49-2 (nb-1).

AUSTRALIA first innings

J. Langer not out 55

M. Hayden run-out 10

R. Ponting not out 46

Extras: (lb-5, nb-4) 9

Total: (for one wicket, 28 overs) 120

Fall of wickets: 37.