ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) — Ed Cowan and Ricky Ponting both hit half-centuries yesterday as Australia built a healthy lead of 310 on the third day of the third and final Test at Windsor Park.

Ponting top-scored with 57, while Cowan contributed 55 as Australia reached 200-6 in their second innings by close.

The 37-year-old Ponting, in what is likely to be his last Test in the Caribbean, struck four fours off 130 balls in 3 1/4 hours. Left-hander Cowan hit five boundaries off 123 deliveries in 161 minutes.

There were two wickets apiece for off-spinners Narsingh Deonarine (2-28) and Shane Shillingord (2-69) and pacer Kemar Roach (2-40).

The visitors had earlier secured a first innings lead of 110 after the West Indies were bowled out for 218, having resumed on 165-8.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul topscored for the hosts with 68, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon (4-69) and left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (2-29) led Australia’s attack.

Australia found it difficult to dislodge Chanderpaul and his overnight partner, Ravi Rampaul, in the morning session. Rampaul contributed 31 and his partnership with Chanderpaul grew to 66 before the visitors broke through.

Rampaul, after hitting five fours in 31 off 50 deliveries, tried to launch Lyon into the leg side stands and only skewed a catch to backward point.

Chanderpaul and last man Roach further frustrated the Aussies in a stand of 32 before the second new ball ended the defiance as Chanderpaul was plumb leg before to Starc.