Australia take 103-run lead

West Indies, 2-1 ahead in the series, had been dismissed for 222 within the first hour. They resumed at 197 for six but lost their last four wickets for just 17 runs.

Paceman Glenn McGrath started the slide when he bowled Nehemiah Perry for six. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill dispatched Ambrose for nought and Carl Hooper was run out after adding only seven to his overnight 40. Hooper fell victim to an accurate throw by McGrath, fielding at third man, as he went for a second run.

Last man Courtney Walsh hit three before McGrath had him leg before to finish with three for 64, the best of the Australian bowling. Adam Dale, Colin Miller and MacGill took twowickets apiece.

LARA SLAMS TON: On Sunday, skipper Brian Lara lashed the third-fastest century in West Indies Test history. He left Australia gasping with an 82-ball 100, beaten only by Viv Richards and Roy Fredericks.

The gifted West Indies captain had arrived at the crease in all too familiar circumstances — his team struggling on 20 for two in reply to Australia’s first innings of 303.

By the time he had finished, West Indies were 136 for three, a total extended to 197 for six at close, 106 behind. Carl Hooper was unbeaten on 40.

Lara, dropped by Colin Miller on 14 and then almost run out, rode his luck and smashed three sixes and 15 fours in another demonstration of devastating batting.

His first 50 came in 61 balls with eight fours and a six. The second 50 was from just 21 balls with another seven fours and two sixes. It was his 13th hundred in 63 Tests and the second time he had made three centuries in successive Tests.

The century took only 96 minutes, but his concentration suddenlydeserted him after he reached the mark and wicketkeeper Ian Healy took a one-handed catch on the leg-side off paceman Glenn McGrath.

Scoreboard

Australia (1st innings): 303
West Indies (1st innings, overnight 197-6): Stuart Campbell c M Waugh b Miller 8, Adrian Griffith c Healy b Miller 9, Dave Joseph lbw Dale 28, Brian Lara c Healy b McGrath 100, Carl Hooper run out 47, Jimmy Adams c Healy b Dale 0, Ridley Jacobs lbw Macgill 4, Nehemiah Perry b McGrath 6, Curtly Ambrose c Ponting b MacGill 0, Colin Collymore not out 11, Courtney Walsh lbw McGrath 3; Extras (nb6): 6. Total: 222

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-20, 3-136, 4-176, 5-178, 6-192, 7-205, 8-206, 9-213

Bowling: McGrath 27.2-9-64-3, Dale 18-7-67-2, Miller 17-5-39-2, MacGill 14-3-52-2.