West Indies forged ahead on the third day of the Barbados Test match against Australia but with only 15 wickets down over three days, the game looks to be heading towards a draw. The fourth day’s play begins at midnight AEST on Tuesday.
After a quick start on the second evening, Australia huffed their way to 5/248 at the end of the third day, thereby adding only 204 runs in the entire day’s play.
Michael Clarke was the saviour, as was his stand with Michael Hussey, with the two adding 82 for the fifth wicket. This was after Australia slumped to 4/133 and looked rather painstaking in their efforts against the West Indian bowlers.
Both Clarke and Hussey struggled in their initial periods at the crease but later settled down well. On a sluggish track, run-making was difficult and Devendra Bishoo got the deliveries to rear up from the rough outside the left-hander’s off-stump.
Clarke continued with his Test match form and looked good for another century before he holed out off Bishoo. Hussey (47) was still at the crease with Matthew Wade (19) when bad light forced the players off the field.
Earlier, Ed Cowan nicked one off Darren Sammy to the wicket-keeper while Dave Warner repeated the shot to the same bowler, only to be caught in the slips. Sammy bowled with a lot of venom in that rather long spell, which lasted 10 overs and cost him only 14 runs to go with those two wickets.
Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson – batting at three – were involved in a misunderstanding that cost the former Australian captain his wicket to a run-out. Watson scraped around for his 39, before Roach put him off his misery.
An Australian win from this position looks highly unlikely unless they get rather close to West Indies and then the home team collapse within a session or two.
And unless West Indies can wrap things up quickly from here, then score some quick runs on the fourth day and the inclement weather stays, the match seems to be headed towards a draw.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A quiet little last few minutes pass off with Siddle getting rid of Bravo for. He scored 32 and the overall score is 5/71 at close. Lead of 114 with half the side back into the pavilion. Back tomorrow for the last day's play.
ManInBlack
Guest
and Sidd's does it - the huge wicket of Darren Bravo.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It is Peter Siddle with figures of 0/5 in four overs to go now. 4/64 in 29.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The pitch's abrasive enough to affect the ball in a way that there is something protruding out of it. Umpires jump in to repair it away... Lyon's bowling really quick here, 1 off the over. 4/64 in 27
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So it is drinks at Barbados and West Indies are 4/63 in 26. Deonarine has fought really well, 54 balls for 15 and Bravo's on 31 from 59.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Hilfenhaus from the other end, gives away a couple of runs. This has been a decent fightback from Deonarine and Bravo, added 40 for the fifth wicket from a precarious 4/17
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Change of ends for Lyon. Not too much happening for the batsmen, a single or two here and there. 4/54 in 23.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It is Michael Clarke to roll his arm over, try and get some assistance from the footmarks - especially against the left-handed Deonarine.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A decent first over from Lyon, just a couple of singles in it.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Change in the bowling, it is Nathan Lyon who comes on.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Stand up tall and deliver. This Bravo's favourite shot and he is really driving them well through the covers. They have a sweeper in place and yet... 4/39
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Deonarine isn't looking as uncomfortable as he did when he was new at the crease. Of course, he has played 26 balls for only four. The bad news for West Indies is that the ball has begun to bounce unevenly, some from Watson are keeping really low. 4/35 in 17.5.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Just when one thought they had turned the corner they do a...West Indies. The number of prayers going in their favour at the current moment seems inversely proportional to the position they are in.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Crashed it through covers, Bravo shows extreme grace in smashing it through the region. When he hits them well, Bravo's shots give a sense of extreme pleasure to the eyes. Something about this left-hander....
Lolly
Guest
Really want Windies to put up a fight here. Keeping my fingers crossed for them. After that shocking start.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It is the drinks break with an hour or so to go and West Indies have virtually crawled to 4/29. 15 overs have passed by. West Indies lead by 72. They need to score 200 in this innings at least. Watson has the ball.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
They are playing on without too much ambition, a couple of maiden overs from Siddle and Harris. 4/28 in 14.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Peter Siddle now comes into the attack. 4/27 so far.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Finally something to reduce the pressure for the West Indies driven through point. West Indies are in the 20s.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
OUT? Review time! There is a referral from the Aussies, appeal for a caught-behind which the umpire has ruled not-out. Over to the third umpire. Yep, the umpire has ruled it not-out because there wasn't clear evidence that it brushed the gloves or the bat. 4/17 still and in trouble!