Brisbane: Aussies claimed five wickets to leave West Indies tottering at 134 for 5. First the Australia tail enders put up a brave show with the bat and then the bowlers complemented it by sending half the side back in the pavilion.
Chris Gayle flickered but the West Indies' spark was on the verge of being extinguished as the Australians started to run away with the first Test. On a two-paced second day the hosts worked solemnly to arrive at 8 for 480 until the declaration half an hour before tea, when the match took off, and after an eventful afternoon the limping visitors were 5 for 134.
Shane Watson in particular will be very pleased with his efforts today, especially after being dismissed for a duck on the opening day. He took two sharp catches in the slips of Barath and Bravo and then dismissed the confident looking Nash for 18. The Aussies were professional in their approach today and are in a commanding position at the end of the second day's play.
The visitors have a huge mountain to climb as they still trail by 346 runs. Dowlin was dropped on 7 by skipper Ponting and he is now unbeaten on 40 with Ramdin not out on 22. The immediate task for West Indies tomorrow will be to score 147 runs and avoid the follow-on.
Brief scores
Australia: 480 for 8 dec (Katich 92, North 79, Hussey 66, Ponting 55, Hauritz 50*, Bravo 3-118)
West Indies: 134 for 5
Status: West Indies trail by 346 runs