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Five things we learned from Antigua day one

The first day of Australia's warm-up in Antigua provided plenty of food for thought

Australia were made to work hard on day one of their warm-up against the West Indies Cricket Board President's XI on Wednesday, but several players have already pushed their Test claims.

Here are five things we learned from the first day in Antigua:

Lyon toils with little luck

It was somewhat ironic that Nathan Lyon's only wicket on the opening day was as much down to a brain fade from the batsman as it was the bowler's guile, with Shane Dowrich falling for 78 when he mistimed an expansive lofted drive to Peter Siddle at mid-on, blowing his chance of a century. But it was the least Lyon deserved on a day when he toiled hard without much reward. The 27-year-old generated turn as well as some bounce early in the day and could have had two or three wickets had luck been on his side. On more than one occasion a ball fell just out of reach of a fielder, while one edge was also glanced between the wicketkeeper and leg slip. Lyon took 13 wickets on Australia's last tour of the Windies three years ago and he will surely add to that if builds on the positive signs he showed today.

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Mixed day but Fawad underlined value

It was a typical leg-spinner's day for Fawad Ahmed, who picked up two crucial wickets but also bowled some loose deliveries and was the most expensive of the Australian bowlers, conceding 95 runs from his 25 overs. Despite being hit to the fence on several occasions, the manner of Ahmed's two dismissals underlined his value as a wicket-taking option. The first was a beautifully flighted delivery that tempted batsman Sharmarh Brooks into a lofted drive, which was well held by Shaun Marsh at cover. And it was Ahmed who broke a 99-run partnership in the middle session with a quicker ball that pitched short and skidded on, beating Rajindra Chandrika's attempted cut shot and cannoning into the stumps.

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Reverse signals hope for seamers

Ahead of a series that is expected to be played on slow and low wickets, it was encouraging to see the Australians generate some reverse swing as the day wore on, notably Josh Hazlewood. The quick was twice inside edged past the stumps for four in an impressive spell in the final session, with the right-armer getting significant movement back into the right-hander. "I think there will be a bit of reverse swing in the Tests as well with similar conditions," Hazlewood said after play. "We've got to try and get used to it as bowlers and when we're facing it as well. So there's a few things to work on there."

Short-leg conundrum not yet solved

Wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill joked during the week that short leg was the only position he'd like to avoid in a rare match without the gloves this week, so it was hard not to smile when the 29-year-old found himself under the lid on the opening day. But it raised the question of who will field in the crucial position during the Test series, where close catchers are set to play an important role when the spinners are in action on slow surfaces. Two of Australia's best fielders - David Warner and Steve Smith - are not in the XI for this match and may be candidates for the role, while veteran opener Chris Rogers has also fielded under the helmet in the past.

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Windies Test hopefuls blow their chance

Two members of this West Indies President's XI will be included in a 14-man squad for the first Test, but two men who were considered good chances of a call-up - Tyrone Theophile and Leon Johnson - were unable to take their opportunity today. Johnson, who played four Tests in 2014-15 before being overlooked for the recent series against England, edged Hazlewood to second slip without scoring, while opener Theophile - the second highest run-scorer in domestic cricket last season - was caught at gully for just 4. Opener Chandrika and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich impressed with half-centuries, while Roston Chase will resume tomorrow on 65 and will be looking to push on as the Windies seek a replacement for veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Play is set to resume on Thursday at 9.40am (2340 AEST).