Australia's bowler Stuart Clark (left), celebrates the wicket of West Indies' batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan (right), who was caught by teammate Micheal Hussey (out of pivture), for 20 runs on the second day of their third and final cricket Test at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - Shivnarine Chanderpaul maintained his rich streak of form with an unbeaten 79, but West Indies batsmen batted disappointingly to hand Australia a 35-run first innings lead on the second day of the third Digicel Test at Kensington Oval yesterday.

While Chanderpaul again played a fine innings, there was little support and West Indies succumbed to the pace of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson to be dismissed for 216 in response to Australia's 251.

The tourists closed out the day on 35 for one in their second innings - for an overall lead of 70 entering the third day.

Lee, who started West Indies' problems, finished with three for 64 in 15 overs of genuine pace, while left-armer Johnson overcame an indifferent first spell to end with four for 41 from 11.5 overs.

Chanderpaul, who mixed aggression with defence, occupied the crease for 226 minutes, faced 142 balls and struck 12 fours and a six in a fine half-century that followed hundreds in the first two Tests.

The plucky left-hander added 60 for the fifth wicket with Dwayne Bravo to allow West Indies to put their noses ahead at tea when they were making good progress to reach 167 for four.

On resumption, Bravo provided Johnson with his first wicket from a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin that started a slide in which the last six wickets fell for 48.

There was little resistance from the tail and Australia were able to gain a handy lead.

After Denesh Ramdin went to a good diving catch by Michael Clarke at gully, Clarke made a contribution with the ball by having Jerome Taylor caught at mid-wicket.

The slide continued with both Sulieman Benn and Daren Powell giving catches to the keeper before the innings ended with the dismissal of Fidel Edwards, erasing the hopes of West Indian fans when Chanderpaul and Bravo were together.

The pair joined forces at 108 for four after Xavier Marshall fell for a polished 39 that included six sweetly stroked fours, most of which were struck through the off-side.

Marshall, who endured a challenging period against Lee, took two blows on the helmet from the fiery fast bowler. He was eventually caught at mid-wicket off medium-pacer Andrew Symonds after adding 44 for the fourth wicket with Chanderpaul.

In the early part of the innings, it was a double-strike by Lee that jolted West Indies who would have been satisfied after quickly polishing off the last three Australia wickets in the morning session.

Lee removed openers Sewnarine Chattergoon and captain Chris Gayle, while Stuart Clarke accounted for Ramnaresh Sarwan to leave the match delicately poised at lunch with West Indies on 89 for three.

Chattergoon fell for six to an edged catch to Haddin after attempting a drive and Gayle was prised out for 14 to a fine diving catch at mid-off by debutant Beau Casson.

Australia sustained the fine display of fielding when Mike Hussey threw himself to his right at gully to haul in a spectacular catch that caused the downfall of Sarwan for 20, which included an upper cut for six off Lee.

Earlier, Australia, resuming on 226 for seven, lost their last three wickets for 25 following a prompt start at 9:30 am that appeared in doubt after heavy overnight and early morning rain.

Pacer Edwards collected two wickets to finish with three for 55 off 17 overs, while fellow fast bowler Taylor grabbed another wicket to end with three for 46 in 12 overs.

Edwards removed Casson lbw as he played across the line and wrapped up the innings with a yorker that bowled Clark.

Taylor's success came with the help of an excellent catch by Benn at gully that accounted for Johnson.

In spite of heavy overnight and early morning rain, giving credit to the improved drainage system that was installed prior to the 2007 World Cup.

AUSTRALIA 1st Innings
(overnight 226-7)

P Jaques c wkp Ramdin b Taylor 31
S Katich c Gayle b Edwards 36
*R Ponting lbw b Taylor 18
M Hussey c Powell b Bravo 12
M Clarke c wkp Ramdin b Bravo 0
A Symonds c Chattergoon b Bravo 52
+B Haddin lbw b Benn 32
B Casson lbw b Edwards 10
B Lee not out 23
M Johnson c Benn b Taylor 0
S Clark b Edwards 1
Extras (lb7, w21, nb8) 36
TOTAL (all out, 68 overs) 251
Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-75, 3-96, 4-96, 5-111, 6-198, 7-213, 8-244, 9-245, 10-251.
Bowling: Powell 11-5-43-0, Edwards 17-4-55-3 (w3, nb2), Taylor 12-2-46-3 (w2), Gayle 7-2-6-0, Bravo 15-5-61-3 (nb3), Benn 6-0-33-1.

West Indies' all-rounder Dwayne Bravo celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Michael Clarke (out of picture), who was caught behind for a duck, on the opening day of their third and final cricket Test match in Bridgetown, Barbados, Thursday. (Photo: AP)

WEST INDIES 1st Innings

*C Gayle c Casson b Lee 14
S Chattergoon c wkp Haddin b Lee 6
R Sarwan c Hussey b Clark 20
X Marshall c Casson b Symonds 39
S Chanderpaul not out 79
D Bravo c wkp Haddin b Johnson 29
+D Ramdin c Clarke b Johnson 1
J Taylor c Katich b Clarke 0
S Benn c wkp Haddin b Johnson 3
D Powell c wkp Haddin b Lee 9
F Edwards c Ponting b Johnson 1
Extras (lb7, nb8) 15
TOTAL (all out, 58.5 overs) 216
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-26, 3-64, 4-108, 5-168, 6-188, 7-189, 8-204, 9-204, 10-216.
Bowling: Lee 15-2-64-3 (nb5), Clark 15-4-41-1 (nb1), Johnson 11.5-3-41-4 (nb2), Symonds 8-4-17-1, Casson 7-1-43-0, Clarke 2-0-3-1.
AUSTRALIA 2nd Innings
P Jaques not out 13
S Katich not out 17
Extras (b2, lb1, nb2) 5
TOTAL (no wkt, 14 overs) 35
Bowling: Powell 4-3-6-0, Edwards 4-1-13-0, Taylor 3-2-7-0, Gayle 2-1-1-0, Benn 1-0-5-0.
Umpires: Mark Benson, Aleem Dar
TV Replays: Goaland Greaves
Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama