Melbourne, December 17: Brad Haddin raced to a half-century while Marcus North was more considered in his 68 as Australia tried to bat West Indies out of the game by reaching 5 for 458 at lunch.
West Indies took two wickets in the session but watched the total grow quickly as Haddin bashed 58 from 61 deliveries in a lively display that showed Australia were attempting to bury their opponents.
The hosts resumed at 3 for 339 and quickly lost Michael Hussey, who added a single to his overnight 81 before prodding at a ball going across him from Ravi Rampaul. Denesh Ramdin accepted an easy catch and all eyes went to the dressing room wondering if Ricky Ponting was coming out after retiring hurt with a sore elbow yesterday. Haddin stepped out and did his best to impersonate Adam Gilchrist.
He arrived in a flurry of boundaries, with a stinging cover drive off Kemar Roach taking him to 20, and in the following over he hit Rampaul for three fours, including two pulls. There was a short lull before Haddin brought up his half-century from 43 deliveries and then slog-swept Sulieman Benn, who was already feeling the discomfort of a sore knee.
North was more patient on his home ground, but was not slow by normal standards, his half-century arriving in 77 balls. North survived a tough miss from Ramnaresh Sarwan at second slip in bringing up the milestone and gave up his chance of a century when he popped a full toss back to the offspinner Narsingh Deonarine on 68. Mitchell Johnson (10) walked out next and was aiming for boundaries immediately.
Rampaul was tricky in his opening spell but the tourists once again struggled to put lasting pressure on the batsmen. The total is inflating and Ponting is still to bat.
——Agencies