Bravo brilliant but Hussey hundred revives Aussies

Promising West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo captured a brilliant 6-84 to place Australia on the ropes, but a fighting Michael Hussey century put the home side back ahead on points after the third day of the third cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval.

The West Indies (405) finished the day on 2-68 in their second innings, just 45 runs ahead of the Australian’s total of 428, with Ramnaresh Sarwan counterpunching nicely for an unbeaten 53.

However, after a brilliant opening session led by their young tyro Bravo, the tourists would have been anticipating a more sizeable lead by the close of today’s play. Bravo’s career best six-wicket haul, including three in five overs, helped reduce the Aussies to 8-295, as all West Indian bowlers displayed a consistent line and length, which tied down the normally free-scoring Australians.

Make no mistake though, the star was the increasingly impressive Bravo, who turned the game with the consecutive dismissals of Symonds, Gilchrist, Warne and Lee, to have the home side in desperate trouble, still 110 runs adrift of the West Indies and with only MacGill and McGrath left to support Hussey.

But demonstrating that he is just as adept in the middle order as he is at the top of the innings, the left-handed Hussey restored the situation magnificently with the awkward, yet effective MacGill. They fashioned a 93-run partnership in 24 overs, as the West Australian’s array of drives, flicks and pulls slowly came to the fore.

With Hussey on 99, MacGill (22) finally succumbed to a fast, straight delivery from Fidel Edwards, however, unlike the day before, there was to be no heartbreak for an Aussie batsman. Hussey’s second Test century from three Tests came with a crunch off Wavell Hinds, before he continued on with McGrath to add another 40 runs- including three huge sixes- pushing Australia into the black.

Brett Lee and Warne combined late in the afternoon to remove West Indies openers Hinds and Smith, and despite a sparkling fifty from Sarwan, more Lara heroics may be required if the tourists are to return home a winner.

Full scorecard available here.

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