Brave Windies fightback may not be enough to ward off series loss to Australia

PERTH - Australia were one wicket away from a series-clinching victory over West Indies, as the visitors scored 308-9 on the fourth day of the third Test in Perth.

Still 51 runs away from the target of 359 set to them, West Indies are left with the last-wicket pair of fast bowlers Kemar Roach (13 not out) and Gavin Tonge (12 not out) facing a mountain of work.

Australia were granted a half-hour extension of play by the umpires, but were unable to finish the job.

Earlier in the day, West Indies took the last two wickets cheaply as Australia were all out for 150 runs, with all-rounder Sulieman Benn capturing the wickets of Clint McKay and Nathan Hauritz, giving him figures of 4-42.

The home team seemed to strike back and destined to cruise to an easy win when the departures of Travis Dowlin (22), Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan (11) saw the West Indies slump to 3-68 at lunch, still requiring a further 291 runs for victory.

The team’s cause was helped by a 128-run, 293-ball stand between Narsingh Deonarine (82) and Brendan Nash (65) for the fourth wicket, which pushed the score to 3-196

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, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Australia’s bowling stocks were also depleted with Mitchell Johnson (3 for 67) and Hauritz coming on and off the field as they struggled with a stomach bug. (ANI)