The home side is 8-137 at stumps in their second innings, an overall lead of 345, after dismissing the Windies for 312 earlier in the day.

 

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo provided the spark for the West Indian fightback, bowling with great venom to capture 3-34 in fifteen overs, while Sulieman Benn (2-26) also played a hand in Australia's capitulation.

 

Starting their second innings with a lead of 208 and not choosing to enforce the follow-on, the Aussies lost Simon Katich for ten, bowled around his legs by Windies paceman Ravi Rampaul.

 

Shane Watson (30) and Michael Clarke (25), who came in at number three in place of injured skipper Ricky Ponting, put on 51 for the second wicket before Watson was dismissed, sparking a stunning collapse of 7-68 before the close of play.

 

One of the wickets to fall was that of Ponting, who emerged at the fall of the seventh wicket to rapturous applause and despite his left arm being in discomfort following the blow he took from a Kemar Roach thunderbolt in the first innings.

 

In scenes reminiscent of South African Captain Graeme Smith's brave efforts to save the Proteas from defeat in the Sydney Test last summer, Ponting valiantly tried to lift his team's lead even further despite his ailment.

 

But that man Roach struck again, firing in a short delivery which Ponting edged to Travis Dowlin at short leg, and he was on his way for just two.

 

Nathan Hauritz (11) and Clint McKay (one) were the not out batsmen at stumps.

 

The visitors started day two on 2-214, with Ramnaresh Sarwan (42 not out) and Narsingh Deonarine (10 not out) looking comfortable after putting on 39 runs for thr third wicket on day two.

 

But it didn't take long for Doug Bollinger to strike, drawing Sarwan into a drive with the second ball of the morning, and he was caught by Hussey in the gully region without adding to his overnight total.

 

Deonarine fell soon after for 18, but Brendon Nash and Dwayne Bravo saw the Windies through to lunch at 4-280.

 

The carnage started after the interval, as the visitors proceeded to lose 6-32. Bollinger did much of the damage, picking up his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket (5-70 from 20 overs).

 

Hauritz snared 3-66, impressing in his comeback from some heavy treatment by Windies Captain Chris Gayle on day two, while Mitchell Johnson (2-92) was the other multiple wicket-taker.

 

With the Aussies holding the upper hand but the Windies roaring back into contention, day four promises to provide even more sensational action.

 

Play gets under way at 10.30 tomorrow morning, with tickets available through Ticketmaster – 1300 136 122 or ticketmaster.com.au.