ROSEAU, Dominica:

Shane Shillingford said it was "my best day in Test cricket" as he had an excellent four-wicket performance to give West Indies the upper hand over Australia on the opening day of the third and final Digicel Test.

The tall off-spinner yesterday became the first Dominican to play a Test match on home soil at Windsor Park, and said he was urged on by the presence of his father Henson, mother Ruthina and other members of the Shillingford household who watched and cheered in the Irving and Grayson Shillingford Stand.

"It felt really great to be playing for West Indies in front of my family, especially my mother and my father, and I knew I had to do something special," said Shane, who had the honour of leading the West Indies on to the field after Australia won the toss and decided to bat first.

"I would say it was my best day in Test cricket in my short career so far. Not because I took four wickets, but more because of the control and how I was able to put the batsmen under pressure and then get those wickets. My entire family was there; it was so exciting to see the fans supporting me. I tried to keep my focus because I knew a lot of things would be expected."

The 29-year-old was cheered on by the fans in the colourful crowd and closed the day with the remarkable figures of 34-8-77-4 as Australia reached 212 for seven off 90 overs. He showed great control and got the ball to bounce and turn and used all his variations. He said the pitch was a good one, even though he got a bit more turn than expected.

work hard

In an outstanding spell from the Pavilion End, Shillingford accounted for Australia's most experienced batsmen - Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey - all to close in catches, as well as opener David Warner, who was made to work hard for his top score of 50.

"Those are guys who, when they get in, score a lot of runs, the likes of Ponting and so on, it's a real honour. I have really been working hard at my bowling and I am getting results. I always back myself and believe I can do the job," he said.

"I normally get a good amount of bounce, but usually on the second or third day, not on the first. Especially with the amount of spin I got, too, that was a little surprising. Getting that bounce and turn, I started feeling well, I just knew there and then the length and line that I needed to hit."

He added: "I was a little nervous leading the guys out on to the field but the skipper told me to keep my cool, just play my normal game. I did, and it all just flowed from there."

West Indies' captain Darren Sammy (left) high-fives with spinner Shane Shillingford after Sammy took the catch to dismiss Australia's batsman Ricky Ponting for 23 during yesterday's opening day of their third and final Test match in Roseau, Dominica. - AP