Start time, stream, how to watch, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith

Australia returns to the crease on day two of the first Test against the West Indies in a position of dominance with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith resuming on big scores.

The hosts have resumed batting and are 2-309 with Labuschagne (162) and Smith (67) at the crease.

Brian Lara and Mark Waugh were both confused by the West Indies tactics in the first session.

Waugh disagreed with the leg-side traps being put into place against Smith despite the ball being almost brand new and being used under grey skies.

“Mark Waugh’s just looked out the window and said basically, ‘what’s going on with this field,’ Ian Smith said in commentary.

Watch the first Test between Australia and the West Indies LIVE and ad-break free during play on Fox Cricket, and stream on Kayo. Coverage starts 11.50am AEDT Wednesday >

Waugh replied: “I’m not sure they need to go that already. Good line and length in the channel is what’s required now.

“I think Smith does confuse teams. They’re not sure how to get him out. This is like New Zealand’s tactics a couple years ago when he did get in trouble with the short one … but at this stage of the day with a new ball, I’d be looking for the outside edge.”

Meanwhile, Lara noted that different bowlers were using different fields to try and get Labuschagne out.

“I’m a little bit confused,” Lara said. “Because (Kemar) Roach was sort of using an off-side field and now Jason (Holder) is employing a leg-side field to Marnus.”

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Before day two in Perth, Labuschagne has taken a dig at critics after a relatively lean start to the Shield season had people questioning whether he was in a form slump.

The Queenslander starred on day one of the first Test against the West Indies, finishing play unbeaten on 154.

In reaching three figures, Labuschagne eclipsed Smith for the most scores over 50 over the first 29 Test matches in their careers.

Labuschagne has made 21 scores of 50 plus since his debut, and at the same point in his career, Smith had 20.

That also puts him ahead of the likes of David Warner (18), Matthew Hayden (17), Damien Martyn (16), Mark Waugh (15), Justin Langer (14), Ricky Ponting (13) and Steve Waugh (12).

Speaking after play, Labuschagne referenced he lean start to the domestic summer.

“I’d certainly want people to come and have a look at some of the wickets,” he said.

“We had a couple of two-dayers in there.

“But once again, whenever you’re not scoring runs there’s that little bit of doubt, so it comes back to your process as a player, you’ve just got to keep being patient and just build your game around your process, not always the result.”

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The 28-year-old has an incredible record at Perth Stadium, with scores of 143, 50 and 154*, a success he attributes to learning the ropes at the gabba.

“Growing up and playing a lot on the Gabba really helps with that because you know there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“You know you’ve got to put in the hard work early Obviously playing in Brisbane with the bouncy conditions helps. The tempo isn’t as fast as other venues.

You aren’t hitting as many balls.

“I love this venue, I love playing in Perth because the conditions are so similar to Brisbane and I’ve had some good success in Brisbane.

“It’s really nice to come to a ground where the characteristics of the wicket are very similar”.

HOW TO WATCH

Watch the first Test between Australia and the West Indies LIVE and ad-break free during play on Fox Cricket, and stream on Kayo. Coverage starts 11.50am AEDT Wednesday >