KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc took two cheap wickets following half-centuries from Shaun Marsh, David Warner, and Steve Smith on Saturday as Australia looked set to beat the West Indies without needing to go the distance in the second cricket Test.
The West Indies, set a daunting target of 392 to win, limped to 16 for two at stumps on day three at Sabina Park. The fiery Starc removed both openers for ducks to end with 2-1.
Marsh (69) and Warner (62) shared an opening stand of 117 to consolidate the advantage Australia seized earlier in the day by claiming a first-innings lead of 179.
Smith, following his career-best 199 in the first innings, finished unbeaten on 54 when captain Michael Clarke declared with half an hour remaining in the day.
Earlier, Jason Holder and Josh Hazlewood shared the morning honours with Holder dominating the Australia bowlers to the tune of 82 not out off 63 balls.
The tall allrounder blasted 12 fours and two sixes in his counterattacking knock which helped the West Indies avoid the follow on as they stretched their total from an overnight 143 for eight to 220 all out.
Hazlewood, who had three wickets on Friday, finished the innings off with the final two wickets to end with five for 38. It was his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Holder and the level-headed Kemar Roach shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 77 to lift home spirits.