Smith masterclass rolls on in Perth Test

Steve Smith.
Steve Smith was 200 not out when Australia declared at 4-598 in the first Test against West Indies. -AAP Image

Steve Smith has put on a batting masterclass to go level with Sir Donald Bradman in Test centuries and help Australia to a dominant 4(dec)-598 against West Indies in Perth.

After Marnus Labuschagne fell for 204 right on the lunch break, Smith rammed home Australia's advantage with 200no before Travis Head played on and bowled for 99.

Head's dismissal prompted Pat Cummins to declare just after tea, leaving West Indies with around two hours to bat the end of day two.

West Indies' bowling weakened and eventually lacked all intensity, while the Optus Stadium wicket was by no means as tricky to bat on as it was in the early hours of day one.

But still, Smith's innings was near faultless with the No.4 not offering up a single chance and barely having a ball come off the edge of the bat.

With his new reconfigured technique, his 29th century brought him level with Bradman for most Test centuries and behind only Ricky Ponting (41), Steve Waugh (32) and Matthew Hayden (30) of all Australians.

"Obviously he was the greatest to play our game," Smith said of Bradman.

"It's nice to be on 29, and hopefully a few more to come."

More side-on in his stance and with less movement, Smith has been able to drive through the covers easier while also pulling in front of square.

He bounced to life in the middle session on Thursday in particular, with a lovely straight drive off a tiring Jason Holder the highlight.

Going after quick runs he played a superb cover drive off Jayden Seales before striking Alzarri Joseph for four.

In contrast, Labuschagne rode his luck significantly more.

After edging two consecutive balls to the boundary on Wednesday, he was dropped by wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva on 194 on Thursday and offered another chance when he cut just over Shamrah Brooks at gully.

But around that, he clipped the ball nicely off his toes and was supreme square of the wicket on both sides.

He brought up his double-century in emphatic fashion, cover-driving Seales for four before being caught behind off Kraigg Brathwaite two balls later.

When he went Head then upped the ante, hitting two glorious boundaries in his first five balls and cutting powerfully whenever offered width outside off stump.

His 99 came in 95 balls, but ended in heartache when he chopped Brathwaite onto his own stumps the ball after Smith reached 200.

Head's innings followed his brilliant home Ashes last summer, but there were questions about his selection for India after two tough Test tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.