PERTH, Australia (CMC) — A defiant last-wicket stand between rookie tail-enders Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge frustrated Australia yesterday, giving West Indies the faintest of chances of winning their first Test Down Under in 12 years and levelling the three-match series.

With West Indies tottering on the brink of defeat at 279-9 late in the evening in pursuit of 359 for victory, Roach and Tonge combined in an unbroken, 29-run partnership from just 30 balls to once again revive the Caribbean side’s hopes of winning the third and final Test at the WACA.

Tonge, playing in his debut Test, was 12 not out off 10 balls while Roach, in only his fifth Test, was unbeaten on 13 from 20 balls, and despite their inexperience, have now been charged with the responsibility of eking out the remaining 51 runs needed for what would be a miraculous Windies victory on the final day today (last night).

No such scenario seemed possible after West Indies collapsed in the last session, losing six wickets for 83 runs to slump from 196-3 to 279-9 in quick time.

Erratic left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson inflicted most of the damage, snatching 3-67 while medium pacer Shane Watson claimed 2-24, including the key wicket of captain Chris Gayle cheaply.

But just when Australia seemed poised to grab victory inside four days, Roach and Tonge came together to see out the last five overs of the day, after umpires had extended play by half-hour with West Indies on the ropes.

It was the second time in the match West Indies had engineered a fightback after Narsingh Deonarine and Brendan Nash had stroked half-centuries in a 128-run, fourth-wicket stand to turn the game in the tourists’ favour.

Deonarine carved out a career-best 82, while Nash hit a typically patient 65, as they hauled West Indies around from a dire position of 68-3 at lunch.

The left-handed Deonarine, playing only his fifth Test, hit 10 fours and two sixes off 171 balls in 203 minutes at the crease, while Nash’s innings spanned 259 minutes, required 183 balls and contained seven fours.

After Australia added just 13 to their overnight 137-8 to be dismissed for 150, West Indies made a solid start to their run chase, with Gayle and Travis Dowlin adding 35 for the first wicket before being separated.

The right-handed Dowlin, who has scored two half-centuries in his last three innings on tour, looked his usual compact, organised self as he gathered 22 from 30 balls with relative ease.

A moment of imprudence caused his downfall, however, as he essayed a pull at left-arm seamer Doug Bollinger and gave an easy catch to Michael Clarke at square-leg.

Gayle, uncharacteristically sedate in getting 21 from 32 balls with just two fours, perished in timid fashion at 52-2 when he inside-edged Watson through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, attempting to play through the on-side.

Perhaps West Indies’ biggest disappointment came when Ramnaresh Sarwan attempted a needless cut the final ball before lunch off off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and was caught at the wicket for 11, leaving the Windies’ hopes hanging by a thread.

Deonarine, playing his first Test in four-and-a-half years, responded admirably with an innings that combined attacking flair with watchfulness as he partnered Nash to steer the Windies out of trouble.