Melbourne: Australia amassed a formidable 459-run lead over the West Indies and were heading for a series victory with two days left in the second Test in Melbourne on Monday.
After dismissing the outgunned tourists for 271 and a 280-run first innings lead, skipper Steve Smith did not enforce the follow-on, preferring to recharge his bowlers and bat a second time.
By close on the third day, Smith had led the Australians to 179 for three with his virtuoso unbeaten knock of 70 off 70 balls with the under-used Mitchell Marsh, elevated to fifth in the order, chipping in with 18.
The Australians have been far superior and seemed intent on constructing a huge overall lead.
Scoreboard
Australia (1st innings): 551/3 decl.
West Indies (1st innings): K. Brathwaite c Burns b Lyon 17, R. Chandrika lbw b Pattinson 25, D. Bravo c Smith b Pattinson 81, M. Samuels lbw b Pattinson 0, J. Blackwood c & b Lyon 28, D. Ramdin c Burns b Siddle 0, J. Holder b Siddle 0, C. Brathwaite c & b Lyon 59, K. Roach lbw b Pattinson 22, J. Taylor c Nevill b Lyon 15, J. Warrican (not out) 11. Extras (b5, lb3, nb5) 13. Total (in 100.3 overs) 271.
FoW: 1-35, 2-50, 3-50, 4-82, 5-83, 6-83, 7-173, 8-215, 9-239.
Bowling: Hazlewood 21-6-49-0, Pattinson 22.3-1-72-4, Lyon 29-8-66-4, Siddle 18-3-40-2, Marsh 7-4-15-0, Smith 3-0-21-0.
Australia (2nd innings): J. Burns c Brathwaite b Holder 4, D. Warner c Holding b C. Brathwaite 17, U. Khawaja c Ramdin b Holder 56, S. Smith (batting) 70, M. Marsh (batting) 18. Extras (lb7, w2, nb5) 14. Total (for three wickets in 32 overs) 179.
FoW: 1-7, 2-46, 3-123.
Bowling: Taylor 3-0-24-0, Holder 11-1-49-2, C. Brathwaite 6-1-30-1, Roach 4-0-22-0, Warrican 8-0-47-0.
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