Kruger smacked the tourists with a punishing 172, hitting five sixes out of Allan Border Field, before Townsend also notched his maiden first-class century.

The left-handed pair, which previously boasted just three half-centuries between them, combined for a 243-run second-wicket stand to frustrate the Windies for the second-straight day in their only tour match before the three-Test series.

The young Bulls outfit charged to 4-384 at stumps, holding a first-innings lead of 113 and the whip hand with two days to play.

Not only were the Windies bowlers tormented by the inexperienced home top order, but they were ragged in the field, dropping Kruger twice on 40 and 91, among a handful of chances.

After captain Chris Gayle flew home before the toss on Wednesday and his batsmen faltered in making a meagre 271, the Windies bowlers' inability to make inroads into the home side's top-order was another major concern.

Kemar Roach, who has been clocked at 152kph, was easily the best of the attack, troubling all the Bulls batsman and deserved better than his return of 1-67 from 23 wholehearted overs.

The 21-year-old hit Kruger on the helmet twice with lethal bouncers to suggest he could be a problem for Ricky Ponting's men.

''He just ambles in but then it is on you,'' Kruger said of Roach. ''He is quick and he got me with a good one today I have got a bit of a headache.

''I think he has a bit up his sleeve.''

Despite the worrying start for the off-key tourists, Roach promised better come the first Test at the Gabba, starting next Thursday.

''It was a hard day in the field, and you sympathise for the guys [who dropped catches] but there's more cricket to play and that was only one day and I don't think we will be that bad again,'' he said.

''It was the first day's for most of the guys, to run it out, so come the first Test the guys will be on, we'll be ready.

''That's what cricket is all about hard days and long days.''

The gulf between West Indies and Australian cricket was underlined by Kruger, 26, and 23-year-old Townsend's four-hour stand.

Kruger was streaky early but was punishing after passing 50, dining out particularly on the spin of Sulieman Benn (1-73) and Narsingh Deonarine (1-74).

''It was tough work early against the new ball,'' he said.

''At the end of the day we picked off the bad balls.

''Here at Albion it's the best place to bat in the world.'' AAP