Australia were rapidly closing in on a series victory after reducing West Indies to 16 for two in pursuit of a victory target of 392 in the second Test in Kingston.
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Aside from a valiant unbeaten 82 by Jason Holder in the morning Australia completely dominated day three at Sabina Park, bowling out the Windies for 220 before lunch and then running up 212 for two before declaring.
Shaun Marsh (69) David Warner (62) and the in-form Steven Smith (54 not out) all scored half-centuries as Australia quickly built on their 179 first-innings advantage before skipper Michael Clarke called his players in.
The Aussie fans at Sabina Park are loving this display from Steve Smith! Lead of 381: http://t.co/dbIHFSzkOM #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/HNjuPFfI02
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) June 13, 2015
That left West Indies with a tricky eight-over spell to face before the close and they could hardly have suffered a worse start as Mitchell Starc sent back both openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika for ducks inside six balls.
Brathwaite played on chasing a wide one while Chandrika edged a loose drive to Marsh at gully to record a pair on debut.
That left the hosts in all sorts of trouble on one for two, and it looked like it would be five for three soon after when Darren Bravo was given out lbw to Nathan Lyon.
However, the left-hander reviewed and was vindicated as replays showed the ball was going well over the stumps.
Michael Clarke thinks he has enough. Australia declare with a lead of 391 against West Indies with more than two days left in the Test
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 13, 2015
That was a relief for the hosts but they are still staring defeat in the face needing another 376 for an unlikely victory with two days still to go – weather permitting.
A day that ended so brightly for Australia did not start so well for the tourists as Holder and the Windies tail made them toil in the field.
Starting the morning on 143 for eight with Holder on 13, the hosts added 77 for their final two wickets before Australia finally ended proceedings.
Number eight Holder provided the bulk of the opposition, striking 82 not out off 63 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, but he ran out of partners as Josh Hazlewood (five for 38) wrapped things up by snaring last two Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor in the same over.
Australia wasted no time in adding to their lead and Marsh, Warner and Smith – combined with Starc’s late double breakthrough – helped put them into what looks certain to be a winning position.
The Windies will resume day four with Bravo on eight – having hit the third-last ball of the day for a straight six – and Shane Dowrich on one.
