Windies hit back after David Warner fires on day one in Hobart

Oval: David Warner scored a typically aggressive half century but West Indies removed him just before lunch to leave Australia 121 for three after the opening session of the first Test at Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Thursday.

The hosts are overwhelming favourites to win the three-match series and looked set to continue their strong recent batting form in a dominant first hour after skipper Steve Smith had won the toss.

Warner scored his 20th test half century off 40 balls with 10 fours and looked to be cruising towards the break on 64 when he nudged a Jomel Warrican delivery into the gloves of West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. 

Adam Voges and new batsman Shaun Marsh will resume after lunch on nine and nought respectively.

West Indies opted for a four-pronged pace attack on a wicket with a greenish tinge but their quicks were only able to claim one victim, Shannon Gabriel bowling Joe Burns through the gate for 33.

Left-arm spinner Warrican also took the other wicket to fall in the session, dismissing Smith when the Australia captain poked at a turning delivery and was caught at slips for 10.

It had looked like being a bleak morning for the tourists when Warner and Burns racked up 70 runs in the opening 10 overs.

Warner survived a scare in the second over when he nicked a Kemar Roach delivery but Ramdin failed to get the ball into his gloves.

The 29-year-old lefthander, who scored three centuries in the recent series against New Zealand, made the most of his reprieve with some rapid scoring.

The breakthrough when it finally came was impressive, however, Gabriel summoning up a 147.2 kilometres per hour delivery which removed Burns`s middle stump.

Warner almost had Smith run out with a rushed single to bring up his fifty but even after the skipper did depart, caught by Jermaine Blackwood after a 32-ball innings, Australia looked to have the upper hand.

Warrican, playing his second test after getting the nod over leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, altered the momentum of the match, however, to expose an Australian middle order which West Indies have identified as a weakness.