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Simon Katich scored a career high 148 not out as Australia batted the West Indies into submission on day three of the third and final Test at Kensington Oval.
Katich and Phil Jaques (108) all-but ensured Australia victory in the three-Test series with a near chanceless 223-run opening stand, as the touring side reached 3-330 at stumps in their second innings, holding a massive 365-run lead with two days to play.
The West Indies have provided stern opposition to Ricky Ponting’s world champions this tour.
But they were effectively read their last rites for the series today with Australia now poised to claim victory having entered the final match leading 1-0.
Katich was superb as he eclipsed his previous best of 125 in scoring back-to-back Test centuries for the first time in his career.
As with his 113 in the second Test in Antigua, he again batted with great patience and concentration, quickly racing to 50 this morning with a steady stream of boundaries before economically picking off runs as the Windies switched to damage control.
Jaques was similarly impressive in notching up his third ton, and first on foreign soil.
Together, the pair batted for more than five hours in setting the third highest opening partnership for Australia against the West Indies.
It eventually came to an end on 223 when Jaques edged through to the `keeper after flashing wide outside off stump against Fidel Edwards (1-52).
Ricky Ponting then fell for 39 to paceman Daren Powell (1-40) after a 76-run stand with Katich, before Michael Hussey (18) lost his wicket in the shadows of stumps to bring Michael Clarke (0no) to the crease.
Katich only came into the XI this series due to an Achilles injury to veteran Matthew Hayden, but is on track to finish as Australia’s top run scorer having amassed 310 runs at 77.5 batting in the uncustomary position of opener.
Today’s innings capped a stunning return to the Test side for the NSW skipper after a two-and-a-half year absence.
But in a cruel twist, the 32-year-old would again appear unlikely to keep his place for Australia’s next Test series in India this October with Hayden scheduled to return.
It would give the left-hander the dubious honour of twice being dropped from the Test team after making a century. In 2004, he lost his spot to Andrew Symonds for the first Test in Sri Lanka after scoring 125 against India the previous match.
For the Windies, today was by far their worst day of an otherwise competitive series.
When the early wicket didn’t come, their enthusiasm dropped quickly, with skipper Chris Gayle at times seeming more concerned with getting through the day’s overs than trying to take wickets.
Lanky left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (1-107) was one of the few positives, deservedly picking up the wicket of Hussey near stumps, before tying Clarke up in knots with a series of superb deliveries to cap a tireless day of bowling.
Windies opener Sewnarine Chattergoon was stretchered off the field after landing awkwardly on his ankle two balls after lunch but, despite not returning today, may still bat in the second innings with the injury believed to be only a sprain.
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