Ponting and Cowan put Aussies in control

Half-centuries from Ed Cowan and Ricky Ponting left Australia in control at the end of the third day of the third and final Test against the West Indies here at Windsor Park on Wednesday.

Australia finished the day on 200 for six in their second innings and with a healthy lead of 310 runs in a match that they only need to draw to take the series having won the opening Test. Cowan believes that Australia should go on to wrap it up in style.

“I think we're in control, definitely. I think 300 already is a big score.

“Fifty on a wicket like that can be as good as a hundred.

Sure the runs don't show on the scorebook but over 300 to chase is a helluva lot of runs.” West Indies had looked to have got back into the match having added some important runs in the morning session before being bowled out for 218 and then took two quick wickets with David Warner going just before lunch and the dangerous Shane Watson just after the resumption. The hosts total owed much as ever to a typically stubborn innings of 68 by veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

West Indies had been 165 for eight overnight with Chanderpaul and Ravi Rampaul having already put on 45 for the ninth wicket. They took their partnership to 66 before Nathan Lyon broke through.

Rampaul came down the wicket but got a thick outside edge and the ball flew up to Warner at point.

The visitors took the new ball after 83.1 overs and in the end it was Chanderpaul that fell. Mitchell Starc was bringing the ball back in off the seam and one finally got past the obstinate West Indian's bat and trapped him lbw.

ROSEAU, THURSDAY