Australia beat West Indies to square Test series

Resuming at 105 for four, West Indies were quickly in deep trouble when Jimmy Adams, their main hope of holding out for a draw, was dismissed without a run added.

Colin Miller, selected ahead of leg-spinner Shane Warne, utilised his off-spin to have Adams smartly stumped by Ian Healy for 18. Griffith and Ridley Jacobs added 40 to see off Australia’s mainstream attack and it was occasional bowler Greg Blewett who made the next breakthrough, trapping Jacobs lbw for 16 for his second wicket of the innings.

Nehemiah Perry added a breezy 26 in adding 39 with Griffith for the seventh wicket but then leg-spinner Stuart MacGill stepped in with three wickets to end any hopes West Indies harboured of holding out for a draw.

MacGill had perry caught by Michael Slater at mid-wicket, bowled Curtly Ambrose for four and then finally breached Griffith’s defence to trap him leg before.

McGrath wrapped up the innings with his 30th wicket of the series when he had Corey Collymore caught off the shoulder of his bat by MacGill for six.

Australia’s only setback of the day came off the field when McGrath was fined 30 percent of his match fee for bringing the game into disrepute over an incident at the end of yesterday’s play.

McGrath was severly reprimanded by match referee Raman Subba Row for spitting on the pitch after bowling the last ball of the day.

It was accepted McGrath did not spit at West Indies opener Griffith, as the home team had complained, but Subba Row said spitting of any sort would not be condoned.

Scoreboard

Australia (1st innings): 303

West Indies (1st innings): 222

Australia (2nd innings): 306

West Indies (2nd innings): Sherwin Campbell c Healy b McGrath 29, Adrian Griffith lbw MacGill 56, Dave Joseph c Miller b Dale 17, Brian Lara lbw McGrath 7, Carl Hooper lbw Blewett 12, Jimmy Adams st Healy b Miller 18, Ridley Jacobs lbw Blewett 16, Nehemiah Perry c Slater b MacGill 26, Curtly Ambrose b MacGill 4, Colley Collymore c MacGill b McGrath 6, Courney Walsh not out 0; Extras

(b5, lb12, nb3): 20.

Total (all out in 102.5 overs): 211

Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-58, 3-69, 4-87, 5-105, 6-145, 7-184, 8-190, 9-209.

Bowling: McGrath 35.5-15-50-3, Dale 12-5-28-1, MacGill 26-8-80-3, Miller 21-10-27-1, Blewett 8-3-9-2.