Roach gives West Indies a lift

Kemar Roach gave West Indies a timely boost with two quick wickets early in Australia's second innings as the visitors were made to sweat over extending their first-innings lead to 94. West Indies were dismissed in the opening over of the day and batting continued to be a tough task as David Warner and Shane Watson departed in quick succession.

Warner had made a brisk start to his innings with two boundaries off his pads and another through the covers before the run rate was hauled in by Fidel Edwards and Shane Shillingford, who like Michael Beer, had been given the new ball. That meant Roach had to wait for his opportunity but immediately made his mark.

Starting from round the wicket, a line that has troubled Australia's left-handers, he drew an edge from Warner which carried low to Darren Bravo at first slip. Then, three deliveries later, Roach beat Watson for pace with a ball that perhaps kept a fraction low and took out the off stump.

It meant another head-to-head between Roach and Ponting which the former won in the first innings. Ponting did not find life easy and could have been run out by Edwards from mid-off when he had given up the chance of making his ground only for the throw to miss and Carlton Baugh hadn't reached the stumps. A second chance was offered an over later when he lunged at Shillingford and an inside edge carried low to Adrian Barath at short leg who could not hold on.

Ed Cowan, who survived with Ponting until rain arrived, was also offered a life before he had scored and it was the simplest of the lot when he edged Edwards to Darren Sammy in the slips but it went to ground. Cowan was made to battle for his runs, his one release coming when he swept Shillingford for four but the offspinner caused him, and Ponting, plenty of problems.

Earlier, West Indies' first innings had lasted just four more deliveries when Baugh was lbw sweeping at Michael Beer although Australia had to use the DRS after the on-field decision had been not out. It gave Australia an advantage of 54 and they could yet be very grateful for that cushion.