Doug Bollinger in action

Should the West Indies reel in the victory target, it would be the eighth highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Test history.

Watson (2-24) claimed Windies dangerman Chris Gayle (21) early today but it was the wicket of Narsingh Deonarine, an unheralded 26-year-old playing just his fifth Test, that proved to be the turning point.
Australia seemed destined to cruise to an easy win when the departures of Travis Dowlin (22), Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan (11) saw the Windies slump to 3-68 at lunch, still requiring a further 291 runs for victory.

But a brave 128-run, 293-ball stand between Deonarine (82) and Brendan Nash (65) gave Australia an almighty scare as the Windies fought their way to 3-196.

And with strike bowler Mitchell Johnson (3-67) spending large periods off the field due to a bout of gastro, Australia looked bereft of ideas in the 37C heat.

But Watson’s dismissal of Deonarine turned the tide back in Australia’s favour, with the Windies losing 4-49 as Australia closed in on victory.

Johnson mustered all of his strength to remove Dwayne Bravo for one before Clint McKay (1-56) claimed his maiden Test wicket when he bowled Dinesh Ramdin for 14.

Nash’s disciplined 259-minute knock came to an end when he shouldered arms to Doug Bollinger and watched on in horror as the new ball took out his off stump.

Windies giant Sulieman Benn received a reprieve on five when replays showed Bollinger had grounded an attempted catch in the deep.

And Benn was again thanking his lucky stars when West Australian Theo Doropoulos, in his role as 12th man, dropped the simplest of catches at mid-on when the spinner was on 11.Benn plundered another 22 runs, finishing with two fours and two sixes, before Doropoulos made amends, snaring a catch at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Johnson.

Ravi Rampaul (10) came and went but Roach and Tonge survived the dying overs with flashing blades to ensure the Test made it to a fifth day.

Meanwhile, Watson could find himself in hot water for his over-exuberant celebration of Gayle’s wicket .Watson stood barely a metre away from the batsman, stared him square in the eyes and yelled out in triumph after umpire Billy Bowden raised his finger for caught behind.

Gayle avoided any ugly confrontation by walking away and Watson was later spoken to by umpire Ian Gould.

Gould also spoke with skipper Ricky Ponting, although it is unknown whether Watson will be cited over the incident.

Australia’s second innings total of 150 was their lowest score since making just 93 against India in Mumbai in 2004.

AAP

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