FAST bowler Jerome Taylor had yet another fantastic day on home soil as he claimed 3-18 off 15 overs against Australia yesterday at Sabina Park.

Taylor, in his fifth Test match at Sabina Park, has taken 26 wickets at an average of 13.12 at the venue.

The Jamaican only returned to the West Indies Test set-up in June of last year after an injury-forced absence dating back to late 2009.

Yesterday, he was accurate as he was menacing and showed the kind of form that led to his brilliant second-innings spell of 5-11 and match haul of 8-85 that helped to wreck England in February 2009.

He then he had help from left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn. However, yesterday he was largely on his own as the absence — through illness — of ace wrist spinner Devendra Bishoo and pacer Shannon Gabriel left West Indies bowling attack looking toothless. Their replacements, seamer Kemar Roach and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, were particularly disappointing.

“As the bowling leader, it was up to me to take charge from the front. It means a lot to me [to perform well because] I’m in front of my home crowd and it’s a happy hunting ground for me. It has memories that will live with me for the rest of my life, so being here performing for the crowd… is just a fantastic feeling,” he said as he fielded questions from a group of reporters.

Despite his heroics, Australia are in a commanding position of 258-4, heading into today’s second day with the in-form Steven Smith leading the way with an unbeaten 135. With him is Shane Watson, who is on 20.

Taylor, who turns 31 on June 22, though admitting that the pitch looked better for batting as the day wore on, said West Indies can still fight their way back into the encounter.

“We are confident about moving forward. It’s a fairly decent wicket. It’s good for batting…the morning session was a bit here and there, but the pitch started to settle down and it became easier for batting. As a bowler, if you really dig in you can really get some success from it,” he said.

— Sanjay Myers