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Sport
Scott Bailey

Australia bat first against West Indies

Australia have won the toss and will bat first in the opening Test against West Indies in Perth. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Australia have won the toss and will bat first in the opening Test of the summer against West Indies in Perth.

Captain Pat Cummins showed no hesitation on an Optus Stadium wicket with plenty of grass left on the wicket to counteract the heat.

Australia have stuck with their regular XI, Josh Hazlewood returning to the side after an injury-interrupted 2021-22 followed by stints on the sideline on the sub-continent.

The Perth Test marks the first of nine for Australia in the space of three months at home and in India, as they push for a spot in the World Test Championship final.

"There might be a little bit in (the wicket), but we're going to back our batters in," Cummins said at the toss.

"Every series is big, but this has an extra carrot for us (with the Test Championship).

"We missed out last time, and hopefully with a few more wins we'll secure our spot."

West Indies will debut the son of former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, with 26-year-old Tagenarine to open the batting.

The tourists fast-bowling attack looms as their biggest weapon, with Alzarri Joseph the spearhead and assistance likely to be on offer early.

However they have lost allrounder Raymon Reifer to a groin injury for the entirety of the series.

AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

WEST INDIES: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.

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