Warner survived a dropped catch to be on 28 while Watson reached 30. Both players struck three boundaries.

West Indies had early success after Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat at Windsor Park.

Ravi Rampaul, who replaced fellow paceman Fidel Edwards in the one change to the hosts’ team, provided the breakthrough in the second over of the day when Ed Cowan played no stroke to a ball that jagged back and was clearly leg before wicket for 1.

Rampaul should have reaped more success half an hour later when Warner, on 5, edged to third slip but captain Darren Sammy dropped a regulation chest-high catch.

Warner went on to play some classic strokes. Watson also had to overcome some early uncertainty to reach the break unscathed.

Rampaul had 1-22 by the break.

Australia made two changes to the side that played in the drawn second match in Trinidad last Thursday. Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris were included at the expense of the injured James Pattinson and left-arm spinner Michael Beer.

Australia leads 1-0 in the series and has retained the Frank Worrell trophy.