Australia will go for the kill on day four after taking control of the third Test against the West Indies in Dominica on Wednesday.
At stumps on day three Australia were 6-200 in their second innings, holding an imposing 310-run lead on a deteriorating Windsor Park pitch.
Opener Ed Cowan and veteran Ricky Ponting were the mainstays of Australia’s lead, both scoring half-centuries to build on the 110-run advantage gained when the Windies were bowled out for 218 in the morning session.
Cowan battled a painful wrist which was still sore from a blow when fielding in close on day two, passing 50 for the first time in the series before falling for 55.
His wicket created a mini collapse as Ponting (57), Michael Clarke (25) and Matthew Wade (4) all fell in the final session but by then Australia’s lead was already substantial.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach has two wickets, including the scalp of Ponting whose luckless run in the Caribbean continued.
The 37-year-old was caught after the ball deflected off his bat as he ducked a Roach short ball which failed to get up as high as expected.
Spinners Narsingh Deonarine (2-28) and Shane Shillingford (2-69) showed just how tough any run chase will be for the Windies, extracting plenty of turn and bounce late in the day.
“I think we’re in control, definitely,” Cowan said.
“I think 300 already is a big score.
“The first two hours have been decent batting conditions and then throughout the day we’ve seen the last two hours have been an absolute dustbowl.
“If we can get to lunch unscathed and maybe 350, 360 if we play well, all of a sudden I think that’s a winning total.”
Earlier in the day veteran Windies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 68 and added 53 runs in the morning session with tail-enders Ravi Rampaul (31) and Roach (9no) to lift the hosts’ total to 218.
Deonarine said similar fighting qualities will be needed if the Windies are to force the series-levelling win that now looks unlikely to happen.
“First we have to get the four wickets as quickly as possible and then just go for it,” the allrounder said.
“About 350 would be nice.”
Play resumes on Thursday at 10am (2400 AEST).
