ADELAIDE, Australia (CMC):

Brendan Nash felt aggrieved that he failed to score his second Test hundred, but regarded his faith in the lower-order batsmen more valuable to the short-term future of West Indies.

The Australia-born Nash was bowled for 92 when he chopped on a delivery from former roommate Mitchell Johnson, as West Indies piled up 451 in their first innings in the second Test against Ricky Ponting's Baggy Greens yesterday.

When Nash returned from his self-imposed exile because of a bruised arm from ducking into a short-ball from Johnson on Friday, West Indies were 270 for six and in danger of being dismissed on the opening day of the Test at the Adelaide Oval.

But Nash coaxed the tail to show some aplomb and they responded, with the highlight being a record 68-run, last-wicket stand for West Indies in Tests against the Aussies with fellow left-hander Ravi Rampaul - batting at 11 - that frustrated the home team.

Rampaul struck two sixes and half-dozen fours in 40 not out that helped to extend West Indies' innings past lunch on the second day.

"I think that's something that I have brought to the team," Nash said. "I'm not the typical West Indian-style batsman that maybe batting with the tail would look to press on and hit the ball in the air.

"I put some faith in the lower order and they responded quite well; that's how you get the best out of them."

Building partnerships

He added: "It was (previously) seven out, all out. I think our bowlers always say they can bat a little bit, but they never got given the opportunities.

"They've worked very hard, our lower order, on building partnerships. The coaches have always stressed this - "Don't give them an easy Test wicket", basically. I think the lower order took that on."

Seven years ago, Nash collected his maiden first-class hundred at this venue, but Johnson prevented him from having bragging rights, after he had bruised him on the first day with a short-ball that smacked him on the right forearm.

"It was pretty disappointing, not only for me, but for the team," the dapper left-hander said.

"It was just one of those things that happen in Test cricket. You don't focus for one ball, and all that hard work was undone."

He quipped: "I'm sure (Johnson and I) are going to catch up and have a drink after the series. Hopefully, with a 2-1 win to us, the beer will taste sweeter."

He added: "If you look at the three innings I have played in the series, (I've been dismissed by former) Queensland players. Hopefully, there are no more Queenslanders left in the team to get me out."

About his bruised arm, Nash said: "It was a bit difficult. I didn't feel like I could grip the bat and put much power behind the shot, so that's why it was a lot of flicking and deflecting."

Nash believes the match is evenly poised, although Australia responded strongly to close on 174 without loss.

"Shane Watson and Simon Katich did not give us too many chances," he said. "They batted quite well and our bowlers did not do too badly. Maybe, they only slipped up at the end.

"I think our bowlers started very well and they toughed-out that early bit and hit some good balls."

He said: "The conditions favour the batsmen. There is not too much sideways movement and there is not too variable bounce, which is what we were hoping would happen.

"We just have to keep plugging away and get them hitting to our fielders moreso than the gaps and hang on to our chances."