Marnus Labuschagne has survived a couple of late scares on the way to posting the second double century of his glittering Test career.
But his hopes of posting his highest Test score were brought undone just two balls later when he was dismissed for 204 off 350 balls in an innings that featured 20 fours and a six.
Labuschagne ended day one of the first Test against the West Indies unbeaten on 154, putting Australia in the dominant position of 2-293 at stumps at Optus Stadium.
The 28-year-old continued to pile on the pain on day two, but there were some nervy moments as he approached the magical 200 mark.
Labuschagne would have had his heart in his mouth on 186 when a wayward shot sailed just millimetres over the hands of substitute fielder Shamarh Brooks at gully.
Then on 194, Labuschagne was dropped by wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva from the bowling of spinner Roston Chase.
Da Silva moved well to the leg side after the ball brushed Labuschagne's glove during an attempted sweep, but the deflection proved too tricky for the wicketkeeper.
Labuschagne kept his cool to bring up his double ton minutes before lunch, driving paceman Jayden Seales to the boundary.
The shot moved Australia's total to 2-401.
The classy right-hander had the chance to surpass his highest Test score - the 215 he posted against New Zealand in Sydney in 2020.
But he was out on what turned out to be the final ball before lunch when he edged Chase behind.
Labuschagne sank his head into his hands upon the dismissal, but he was given a standing ovation as he walked off the field.
His record in Perth has been particularly impressive.
Labuschagne's only other Test appearance at Optus Stadium came before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 when he posted scores of 143 and 50 against New Zealand.
He has already surpassed that effort with his first-innings heroics against the West Indies.
Labuschagne featured in all three games of the recent ODI series against England.
But he had no trouble readapting to the red ball on the bouncy Optus Stadium deck.
"I grew up on red-ball cricket," Labuschagne said.
"Dating back to our under 19s tournaments, it was red ball. I grew up in that space.
"I think that comes more naturally to me - going back to my roots.
"For someone like Davey (Warner) who came through the white-ball system, he tends to hit a lot more coming into red-ball cricket because he's got to go the other way."
