The West Indies are down and almost out in the first Test against Australia in Perth, after a Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne “masterclass” early on day two.

Australia is 3-429 with Smith (124) and Travis Head (17) at the crease.

The duo’s 251-run stand put the West Indies’ attack to the sword in a demoralizing first session before Labuschagne was dismissed for 204 immediately after bringing up his double ton.

Smith recorded his 29th Test century before lunch and moved into the top five for all-time Australian Test centurions – equalling cricket great Sir Donald Bradman.

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“You’re watching the history of a true champion,” Adam Gilchrist said in commentary, while Mike Hussey said it was “absolutely flawless”.

Labuschagne brought up only his second double ton a short time later, as his proud wife and newborn daughter sat in the Perth stands.

“What a force they are for Australian cricket,” commentator Kerry O’Keefe said.

Walking off at the lunch break, Smith told Fox Cricket: “It was a lovely partnership. We enjoy batting together. We just chill out in the middle and do our thing. It was nice to put on a few there.

“I’m feeling good. I think the wicket’s just sped up a little bit today. I think there’s enough there if you put it in the right spot, but feeling good, so pretty happy.”

Speaking of equalling Bradman, he added: “Obviously he was the greatest to play our game, so nice to be on 29. Hopefully a few more to come.”

Despite heading out on day two with a fairly new ball and overcast conditions, the visitors just couldn’t find the wicket they desperately needed until the final ball before lunch.

West Indies cricket great Brian Lara was disappointed with what he saw in Perth as Australia pushed towards a second day declaration.

“With the cloud cover, I thought they might be able to get a bit more out of the ball … but Australia are piling on the pressure now,” he said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t see them really getting another eight wickets today.

“We’ve just got to be economical, and slow the game down and make sure we get that run rate in a position where we are going to bat this evening no matter what – the Australians are going to declare. We’ve just got to play that patience game from here on in.”

Aussie cricket great Hussey said the visitors were simply going through the motions, rather than forcing the Aussies into a false stroke.

“I think the West Indies are waiting for a mistake rather than to force the mistake,” he said.

“They had the opportunity in that first hour to force a mistake… but they’ve been a little passive in hoping one of these two makes a mistake – which rarely happens.”

Labuschagne did provide an opportunity the West Indies desperately searched for when on 194, but unfortunately for the visitors Joshua Da Silva couldn’t hang onto the chance behind the stumps.

“A big deflection,” commentator Adam Gilchrist said.

“He had every chance to hold onto it.”

The dropped chance was the third lifeline Labuschagne was provided in his brilliant innings after Jason Holder missed a sharp catch at second slip and Tagenarine Chanderpaul grassed one in the outfield late on Wednesday.

Earlier, Lara and Mark Waugh were both confused by the West Indies tactics in the first session.

Waugh disagreed with the leg-side traps being put into place against Smith despite the ball being almost brand new and being used under grey skies.

“Mark Waugh’s just looked out the window and said basically, ‘what’s going on with this field,’ Ian Smith said in commentary.

Waugh replied: “I’m not sure they need to go that already. Good line and length in the channel is what’s required now.

“I think Smith does confuse teams. They’re not sure how to get him out. This is like New Zealand’s tactics a couple years ago when he did get in trouble with the short one … but at this stage of the day with a new ball, I’d be looking for the outside edge.”

Meanwhile, Lara noted that different bowlers were using different fields to try and get Labuschagne out.

“I’m a little bit confused,” Lara said. “Because (Kemar) Roach was sort of using an off-side field and now Jason (Holder) is employing a leg-side field to Marnus.”

During the drinks break with Australia’s total spiralling out of control, Waugh added: “They’ve been hedging their bets. Their field settings have been very, very strange.

“I don’t understand. They’ve let this game roll away from them in the first hour (of day two).”

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HOW TO WATCH

Watch the first Test between Australia and the West Indies LIVE and ad-break free during play on Fox Cricket, and stream on Kayo. Coverage starts 11.50am AEDT Wednesday >