Wacky day at the WACA

A total of 16 wickets fell on the third day between Australia and West Indies in Perth as the hosts closed on 137-8 with a lead of 345.

Wickets tumble in Perth as result looks on the cards in third Test

Third Test Match
Perth
Australia 520-7 dec (S M Katich 99, S R Watson 89, B J Haddin 88, M E K Hussey 82, M J North 68) & 137-8 v West Indies 312 (C H Gayle 102, T M Dowlin 55, D E Bollinger 5-70) A total of 16 wickets fell on the third day between Australia and West Indies in Perth to set up a possible result as the hosts closed on 137-8 with a lead of 345. After starting the day on 214-2, West Indies slumped to 312 all out just after lunch to trail by 208 and looking like being well out of the game. However, the bowlers got the tourists back in with a shout, with three wickets from Dwayne Bravo and two from Sulieman Benn helping reduce the Aussies to 137-8. Ricky Ponting's men still hold a commanding lead of 345 entering the penultimate day of the third Test, but with two quick wickets the West Indies would still have a shout of a remarkable victory. After skipper Chris Gayle's superb century, the tourists started the day in decent shape and had progressed steadily to 280-4 by lunch.

Wickets

However, they then lost six wickets for just 32 runs to fall short of the follow-on target, but Ponting elected to bat again and leave the tourists batting last. Doug Bollinger starred for the hosts as he took 5-70, while spinner Nathan Hauritz took 3-66 and Mitchell Johnson also weighed in with two wickets. After losing Simon Katich early on, Australia steadied with Shane Watson and Michael Clarke making it to 66-1, but they then crumbled when losing six wickets for just 59 runs. The absence of skipper Ponting may have contributed as he did not come in until number nine due to an injured elbow tendon. Bravo was the main threat as he took 3-34 in his 15 overs, while spinner Benn took 2-26 and exacted the perfect revenge on Brad Haddin as he removed the wicketkeeper for 23 after their second-day run-in. Hauritz and debutant Clint McKay added three more before the close and with a 345-run lead they will look to add a few more runs to take any thought of a West Indian upset out of the equation.