Day 3: Windies v Australia

Despite a middle order collapse, Australia took a commanding lead on the third day with Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer flaying a gutless West Indian bowling attack to post sparkling centuries. With a daunting lead of 417, Australia will look to be the first team to complete a series whitewash against the home side, in the West Indies.

Australia resumed day 3 on a wonderful platform of 0-171, and the partnership between the record-breaking openers continued to flourish. Jermaine Lawson was unable to bowl for the entire day, due to a back strain, which made the bowling look very thin indeed.

Late in the morning session, Omari Banks and Mervyn Dillon lifted a lackluster bowling attack to initiate the fight back. After posting his century, Langer edged part-timer Chris Gayle to slip where Brian Lara had no trouble taking the chance, despite dropping Hayden yesterday afternoon. Langer departed for a sparkling 111, from 161 balls, but opened the door for the West Indian bowlers.

The emergence of Adam Gilchrist from the pavilion sounded the intentions of the Australian camp, but the plan was soon to backfire as Gilchrist sliced a catch to Marlon Samuels at gully, via Ridley Jacobs shoulder. The charismatic wicketkeeper departed for 6, and made way for Martin Love in his third test match.

Banks struck again before lunch when Love was caught by Samuels at backward short-leg for a disappointing 2, with Hayden watching the turmoil from the other end. Darren Lehmann brought some sanity into proceedings when he combined for a partnership of 45 with Hayden, who was creaming the bowling to all parts.

The two departed in the space of two overs, with Lehmann chopping Dillon back onto his stumps for 14, and Hayden running himself out, with a brilliant piece of fielding by reserve fieldsman Carlton Baugh at backward point. It was the only way Hayden was going to be dismissed, for 177, in an innings that possessed some hard hitting, and gracious timing.

Bowler come batsman Andy Bichel proved he is human, departing for a duck, edging a catch to Devon Smith at slip off the rejuvenated Dillon. Stephen Waugh, in his final match in the West Indies, supported the tail, as only he can, as Brett Lee looked for some quick runs.

Lee skied a catch to third man off Dillon, where another substitute fieldsman took a catch, in Sylvester Joseph. Lee made a brief 18 off 19 balls, giving his captain support. Jason Gillespie and Stuart MacGill departed within 6 balls of each other, as a familiar combination took their places at the wicket.

Stephen Waugh and Glenn McGrath. The two have made valid contributions together with the bat, and with Waugh in his swansong innings in the West Indies, the partnership was made all the more special. McGrath scored freely, and combined all the batting skills he possesses to end up with a pugnacious 14. Waugh was left stranded on 45 not out, as Australia took a commanding lead of 417. Dillon was the best of the West Indian bowlers with 4-112, but still looked rusty.

The run chase began in sedate circumstances with Chris Gayle and Devon Smith beginning cautiously. Stumps was called with the Windies on 0-47,still 371 runs behind in an attempt to avoid a humiliating series whitewash.

AUSTRALIA
240 (J. Langer 42, S. Waugh 41; J. Lawson 7-78)

WEST INDIES
240 (B. Lara 68, D. Smith 37; A. Bichel 3-53)

AUSTRALIA - 2nd Innings
417 (M. Hayden 177, J. Langer 111; M. Dillon 4-112)

WEST INDIES - 2nd Innings
0-47 (D. Smith 21*, C. Gayle 19*)

Posted by Dominic