Darren Bravo scored a fighting half-century to anchor a feisty rearguard action before West Indies were bowled out for 271 on the stroke of tea on day three of the second cricket Test against Australia.
West Indies batsman Darren Bravo acknowledges the applause after scoring his half century Photo: AFP
The West Indies trailed their hosts' mammoth first innings declaration at 551 for three by 280 runs but Australia will bat again after spending far longer in the field than they might have hoped.
The tourists' tail frustrated Australia's bowlers for another session, adding 98 runs to their 173 for seven at lunch, after resuming on 91 for six.
Bravo, who had shared a 90-run stand with Carlos Brathwaite before the debutant was dismissed for 59 before lunch, anchored further valuable partnerships for the final three wickets before James Pattinson had him caught for 81 to wrap up the innings.
Spinner Jomel Warrican was left unbeaten on 11.
Pattinson, who dismissed Brathwaite twice only to reprieve him for over-stepping the crease on both occasions, finally broke through after lunch to remove Kemar Roach, trapping him lbw for 22.
Spinner Nathan Lyon had Jerome Taylor feather an edge to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill to be out for 15.
Bravo's defiant knock gave West Indies some cheer after they lost six wickets in the final session on day two.
Australia are bidding to wrap up the series 2-0 with victory in Melbourne after winning the opener in Hobart.
Australian batsman Usman Khawaja celebrates scoring his century against the West Indies on day two Photo: AFP
On day two, Australian captain Steve Smith declared their first innings an hour before tea on 551 for three.
Smith finished unbeaten on 134 with Adam Voges 106 not out, meaning just one of the four Australian batsmen to take the crease didn't make a ton: David Warner.
Usman Khawaja hit 144 and Joe Burns 128.
That's just the third time in Test history that four centuries were made by top five batsmen.
The only other two occasions were against Bangladesh.
- AAP, Reuters
