Nathan Lyon’s five-wicket haul has given Australia hope of a series clinching win in the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad.
Lyon claimed five wickets in 37 balls late in the third day’s play to leave the Windies 9-252 at stumps, still 59 runs behind Australia’s 311 with two days to play.
The South Australian offspinner ended a 130-run stand between Shivnarine Chanderpaul (94) and Narsingh Deonarine (55) for the fifth wicket when had Deonarine stumped of the first ball of his nine-over spell.
Chanderpaul was then trapped LBW in his next over just six runs short of a second hundred in as many Tests before Lyon then removed Darren Sammy (1), Shane Shillingford (4) and Kemar Roach (0).
Only the final wicket of the innings eluded the 24-year-old who has 5-68 from 28 overs, the second best figures of his 12 Test career after his 5-34 on debut in Galle last year.
“Certainly amazing to get another five-for for Australia,” Lyon said. “Today was a really hard toil and I thought all our bowlers as a bowling unit bowled pretty well.
“We could have been better in a few different areas … I was just lucky enough to get the rewards at the end of the day.”
Lyon’s spell meant Australia took the honours on a day which featured a 111 minute rain delay and looked set to finish in the Windies’ favour due to Chanderpaul and Deonarine’s patient partnership.
The pair came together in the morning session after Michael Hussey (1-19) removed Darren Bravo (38) LBW after a 62-run stand with Chanderpaul.
Windies’ coach Ottis Gibson was left to rue his team’s inability to close out the day.
“A combination of good bowling and some senseless batting and one decision down the legside that didn’t look like it was out … all these things sort of contributed to the situation we’re in at the moment,” Gibson said.
Fast bowler James Pattinson endured a tough day, struggling for a consistent line and length before leaving the field of play in the final hour with a back spasm.
It’s unknown as yet what further role the 21-year-old will play in the match and his condition will be assessed before the start of play on Wednesday.
The day began in farcical fashion as players were called off the field by match referee Jeff Crowe before a ball could be bowled.
A power failure meant the television cameras were down and Crowe informed the umpires to take the players off the field over concerns playing without television footage would violate the West Indies Cricket Board’s commercial obligations.
The match will resume on Wednesday at 9.30am (2330 AEST).