AUSTRALIA enter the fourth day of the second Test against West Indies in complete command after unrelentlingly tightening the screws on the hosts yesterday.

At the close of day three, West Indies scrambled to 16-2 in search of the improbable 392 runs needed to level the two-match series.

There are two full days remaining in the match, but even the bravest gambler would be hard-pressed to put anything of value on a West Indies victory.

Earlier, Australia, powered by halfcenturies from Shaun Marsh, David Warner and Steven Smith, declared their second innings on 212-2 after West Indies stretched their overnight score to 220 all out.

Seam bowler Josh Hazlewood captured a career-best 5-38 and was the main architect as Australia routed the West Indies. Scores: Australia 399 (126.5 overs) & 212-2 declared (65 overs); West Indies 220 (59.5 overs) & 16-2 (8 overs) The day belonged to Australia, but Jason Holder, who hammered an unbeaten half-century, and Kemar Roach, put on a quick-fire ninth-wicket stand of 77 runs in the first part of the morning session, which lifted the West Indies from their overnight firstinnings score of 143-8.

It was easily the highest partnership of the innings and prevented Australia from being able to enforce the follow-on. Holder’s aggression led to the pair reaching the 50-run partnership in only 45 balls. Roach scored only four of those.

The tall allrounder, mixing lusty blows with well-timed drives, ended with 82 runs off 63 deliveries after he started from an overnight 13 off 24 balls. As Roach blocked one end, Holder brought the attack to all the bowlers.

Hazlewood, holding a tight line and length to pry out three wickets late on day two, was also unsettled by Holder’s enterprise. The batsman made room to play lofted drives over the off-side to force the 24-year-old pacer of out the attack. Holder was also harsh on Hazlewood’s replacement, the offspinner Nathan Lyon, and soon the Aussie captain Michael Clarke put in a deep backward square leg, deep midwicket, long-on, long-off and deep cover to protect the slow bowler.

Then the tall batsman brought out the reverse sweep for four runs down to third man. That forced Clarke to fall back on Hazlewood and he induced an edge from Roach (seven) and followed with the dismissal of last man Jerome Taylor (zero) to end the innings.

Though having a lead of 179 runs, left-handed openers Warner and Marsh began their innings with some discomfort against fairly accurate bowling from pacers Taylor, Roach and Holder.

But as the ball got softer, the pitch appeared easier to bat on, and the batsman started to score fluently in sunny afternoon conditions. Warner, on 62, eventually top edged a chance to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off Roach, while his partner chipped down the wicket and clipped a drive to Holder at midwicket off the bowling of left-arm spinner Permaul to be out for 69.

Clarke surprised some when he declared late in the day to leave West Indies an uncomfortable eight overs to negotiate. Smith, who cracked a brilliant 199 in the first innings was unbeaten on 54, while Clarke was not out on 14. The declaration paid off handsomely as left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc accounted for both openers.

A jadedlooking Kraigg Brathwaite played at a wide half-volley, but could only insideedge the ball onto his stumps. Rajendra Chandrika, looking out of his depth, completed a ‘King pair’ on debut when he edged Starc low to Marsh at gully.

Left-hander Darren Bravo, on eight, and Shane Dowrich, on one, will take the crease for today’s 10:00 am resumption. The home team’s batsmen will be served well to adopt an approach similar to that of Marsh and Warner during their 117-run stand.