Australia and the West Indies are balanced 50/50 after the first day of the second Test at Adelaide Oval, but so too are the merits of the newly-introduced system for decision referrals.

The visitors gave hope of a more competitive showing following their three-day drubbing in Brisbane by amassing 6-336 at the close of play, thanks largely to a sprightly century from gifted allrounder Dwayne Bravo (104), his first three figure effort in Tests since his side’s last Australian tour in 2005.

However it was the variation in verdicts across the three third umpire referrals called for on day one that caused the most conjecture, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (62) first the beneficiary then the victim of two decisions by third umpire Asad Rauf that were based on circumstantial evidence at best.

The figure Bravo used to describe the system was “50/50″, far removed from the 97 per cent correct decision ratio boasted by the ICC when introducing the system.

“It’s a tricky thing, sometimes it works for you, sometimes it works against you,” Bravo said.

“The umpires are still in charge, whatever decision they make you have to accept that, but there is an opportunity for bad calls…

“At times the batsman get it right, at times the umpires get it right, it’s a 50-50.”

Bravo’s century ensured Chanderpaul’s dismissal to Shane Watson (2-42) was not as pivotal as it otherwise might have been, and Darren Sammy (44no) offered similar verve to get to stumps in the company of Brendan Nash (44no) who earlier retired hurt following a sharp blow to the forearm by Mitchell Johnson (1-68).

Test match sophomore Doug Bollinger (2-42) bowled with plenty of bounce and enthusiasm for the Australians, dismissing Chris Gayle the day after the Caribbean skipper had been unable to name him.

“It was a good day, I felt pretty good with the new ball bowling to Chris Gayle and Barath who got a hundred last game, I felt pretty comfortable and it turned out to be a pretty good wicket so we just had to bash away,” said Bollinger.

“It’s pretty even at the moment, we’ve got to get a couple of quick wickets tomorrow morning.”

Gayle won an important toss, batting first in pristine conditions, and in the early overs he seemed intent on making the most of it.

One flick to the midwicket boundary off Bollinger drew coos of approval from the members, and there was more when he followed up by smiting the same bowler straight for six.

Bollinger’s vengeance arrived on 26, when a prancing delivery cramped him into an edge that was pouched one-handed by a leaping Brad Haddin as Bollinger celebrated with typical relish.

After lunch, Bollinger was convinced he had Chanderpaul out for 38, but the source of the noise could not adequately be explained even after the Australians had challenged umpire Mark Benson’s not out decision, and the batsman stayed put.

The stand ran to 116 beyond the tea break, before another caught behind appeal against Chanderpaul went to third umpire Asad Rauf, who elected to give Chanderpaul out despite having no more evidence for this dismissal than the last.

It was left to Bravo to provide the most defiant contribution with an innings of substance as well as froth.

He was fortunate on 59 that Shane Watson was unable to keep a deep outfield catch inside the boundary rope, and there were several other half chances, but a stream of memorable strokes more than compensated.

After reaching three figures, Bravo lost focus and, though he successfully challenged Watson’s lbw verdict, he allowed a straight ball from Nathan Hauritz to flick his off stump and departed to generous applause from the crowd of 13,151.

© AAP 2012

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