Mitchell Starc dismissed both openers for nought © Getty Images
Australia are well on top after proceedings on the first three days of the second Test at Kingston. Australia scored 212 for two in their second innings, when Michael Clarke decided to declare, giving West Indies eight tricky overs to play out today, with a target of 392 to chase. LIVE SCORECARD: West Indies vs Australia, 2nd Test, Kingston, Day 3
Day Three began with some inspired display of batting from Jason Holder, who scored an undefeated 82. In doing so he ruled out the possibility of follow-on. West Indies innings ended on 220, when Jerome Taylor was the final wicket to fall, leaving Holder stranded at the other end. Josh Hazlewood clinched a five-for in that innings. LIVE UPDATES: West Indies vs Australia, 2nd Test, Kingston, Day 3
Australians didn’t have it very easy when they came out to bat and the West Indian pacers, particularly Jerome Taylor, made the ball do some talking. David Warner and Shaun Marsh both had some edgy moments early on, but navigated through the period to score freely.
Both openers got to their fifties, which should be relieving after a poor showing in the previous innings on this tour. Warner was the first wicket to fall when he mistimed the pull off Kemar Roach, getting out for 62. Marsh was the only other wicket to fall for the Aussies, he scored 69 and was dismissed by Veerasammy Permaul.
Steven Smith continued in his rich vein of form to register a fifty. Michael Clarke played a careful innings scoring just 14 off 57 before declaring, deciding to give West Indies a nagging eight overs to fend off in the day.
In a scene that has become so common, the West Indian openers fell soon. In fact both openers fell in the very first over and more humiliatingly both got out for ducks. Mitchell Starc was responsible for that menacing first over. West Indies were careful thereafter.
Brief scores:
Australia 399 (Steven Smith 199; Jerome Taylor 6 for 47) & 212 for 2 decl. (Shaun Marsh 69, David Warner 62) lead West Indies 220 (Jermaine Blackwood 51, Jason Holder 82*; Josh Hazlewood 5 for 38) & 10 for 2 (Darren Bravo 8*; Mitchell Starc 2 for 1) by 375 runs.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)