Australia’s chances of winning the second Test against the West Indies appear dashed as rain washes out most of the fourth day’s play in Trinidad.

Only 10 overs could be bowled in the afternoon session before a heavy thunderstorm hit Queen’s Park Oval, the second rain delay of the day after 55 minutes were lost in the morning.

Australia were 3-73 at tea with the rain still falling, a lead of 127 runs with Ricky Ponting not out on 32 and Michael Clarke unbeaten on three.

Kemar Roach has taken all three wickets for the Windies, bringing his tally to eight for the match.

The in-form fast bowler begun by removing David Warner for 17 after the opener edged to Darren Bravo at slip in Roach’s first over of the day.

Just three balls later, Roach sent Shane Watson’s off-stump cartwheeling out of the ground to remove the allrounder for a duck and leave Australia 2-26.

That could have been even better for the Windies with both Ed Cowan (20) and Ponting being dropped early in their innings.

Cowan was eventually dismissed in the short spell after lunch, trapped LBW by Roach.

Earlier, Australia took just four balls to end the Windies first innings after the home team had resumed on 9-252.

Michael Beer was the wicket-taker trapping Carlton Baugh LBW for 21 to finish with 2-56 as the Windies were dismissed for 257.

Nathan Lyon was the top bowler for Australia with 5-68, all of his wickets coming in a nine-over spell at the end of day three.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-scored for the Windies, making 94 and sharing a 130-run stand with Narsingh Deonarine (55).