Aussies well ahead despite Windies fight

Australia

Australia were 179 for three at stumps on day three of the second Test against the West Indies, a lead of 459 runs, despite the visitors at least showing some resistance.

Aussie captain Steve Smith, who is unbeaten on 70, and Mitchell Marsh, 18 not out, will resume on the morning of day four, until Smith decides to declare the innings.

Usman Khawaja was again in the runs, following up on his century in the first innings with a quick-fire 56 in his second stint at the crease after openers Joe Burns (4) and David Warner (17) fell cheaply.

For the first time in the series though the Windies put up a fight with the bat, as they resumed the day on 91 for six and made their way to 271 all out.

The two overnight batsmen, debutant Carlos Brathwaite (59) and Darren Bravo (81), both reached their half-tons as the pair added 90 for the seventh wicket.

What was even more impressive was that they kept the home team's bowlers out in the field for more than 100 overs, meaning Smith did not enforce the follow-on as he wanted to give his bowlers a rest.

Australia are still heavy favourites to wrap up the match, and the series, on the penultimate day at the MCG.

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