There
was a complete contrast in the proceedings on
the third day of the third Test at Bridgetown.
While the first two days produced as many as 20
wickets, the third one saw only three falling at
the cost of nearly 300 runs! Australia found the
pitch too flat as they batted Windies out of the
match with a total of 330 for 3 in their second
innings. The overall lead for them is already
365 and they would be looking for another 135
runs before they declare.
Simon Katich was the star of the day and he
is still unfinished with a knock of 148. Katich
batted all through the day facing 323 balls and
striking 13 fours. His partner Phil Jaques found
some form to score his third hundred of his
career as Australia put on 223 for the opening
wicket. For Katich, it was his fourth hundred.
Their opening partnership came to an end just a
few minutes before Tea with Jaques (108 from 224
balls with 9 fours) falling to Fidel Edwards.
West Indies in the final session got the wickets
of Ponting (38 from 72 balls with 2 fours and a
six) and Hussey (18) but that wasn't going to
alter the match situation.
With the fast bowlers proving to be
ineffective on a pitch that suddenly changed
colours like a chameleon, Gayle was forced to
bowl left arm spinner Sulieman Benn for 36 overs.
Gayle also chipped in with 16 overs in a bid to
curtail the scoring rate. Aussies got to 330 for
5 in 112 overs at stumps with Katich on 148
along with Clarke who is on 0. With still two
full days to go, only rain can save West Indies
from an inevitable defeat.
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