PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – An outstanding spell from speedster Kemar Roach was the brightest spot as rain wrecked
the fourth day of the second Test between West Indies and Australia here yesterday, allowing just 30.4 overs at Queen’s Park Oval. Roach claimed three for 27 in a penetrative 10-over spell, leaving Australia to battle to 73 for three when the adverse weather halted
play 65 minutes before tea. Experienced right-hander Ricky Ponting was unbeaten on 32 and was partnered by captain Michael Clarke on one.
The rain, which has plagued the contest over the last three days, continued into the evening forcing match officials to eventually
abandon the day just after 16:00hrs. It was a disappointing end to a day that promised so much after Australia snatched a 54-run lead at the start, by bowling West Indies out for 257.
The hosts added just five to their overnight 252 for nine before Carlton Baugh was lbw for 21, sweeping at the fourth ball of the day
from left-arm spinner Michael Beer.
Left-handed openers Ed Cowan (20) and David Warner (17) then built on Australia’s lead by adding 26, despite a troubling opening spell
from fast bowler Fidel Edwards.
Warner, who faced 31 balls and struck three fours, grew in confidence and gathered two fours in one over from Edwards with
a glance through mid-wicket and a drive through cover.
However, he fell to the second ball of Roach’s first over, edging to first slip where Darren Bravo pouched a low catch.Three balls
later, vice-captain Shane Watson followed without
scoring, as Roach breached his forward defensive prod and removed his off-stump. Rain arrived 45 minutes before the scheduled lunch
interval forcing an early break, but Cowan and Ponting led the Aussies fightback on resumption, extending their third-wicket partnership to 31.
Roach continued his impressive spell, however, trapping Cowan lbw at 57 for three, to set the Aussies back again.Cowan, dropped at
slip by captain Darren Sammy off Edwards before he had scored, faced 78 balls and struck two fours. Ponting was playing fluently with two fours off 57 balls when the rains arrived again, this time curtailing play for the day
with the Aussies 127 runs ahead. Kemar Roach made early inroads for West Indies on the fourth day in Port of Spain before rain arrived.

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 311
WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 252 for nine)
A. Barath lbw b Beer 7
K. Brathwaite lbw b Hilfenhaus 0
K. Powell lbw b Pattinson 19
D. Bravo lbw b Hussey 38
S. Chanderpaul lbw b Lyon 94
N. Deonarine stp.. Wade b Lyon 55
C. Baugh lbw b Beer 21
D. Sammy c Hussey b Lyon 1
S. Shillingford c Cowan b Lyon 4
K. Roach c wkp. Wade b Lyon 0
F. Edwards not out 0
Extras: (b-1, lb-8, w-1, nb-8) 18
Total: (all out, 104.4 overs) 257
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-26, 3-38, 4-100, 5-230, 6-231, 7-237, 8-241, 9-249.
Bowling: Beer 25.4-9-56-2, Hilfenhaus 16-4-39-1, Lyon 29-9-68-
5, Pattinson 11-2-40-1, Hussey 6-1-19-1, Watson 12-5-14-0,
Warner 3-1-9-0, Clarke 2-0-3-0.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings
E. Cowan lbw b Roach 20
D. Warner c Bravo b Roach 17
S. Watson b Roach 0
R. Ponting not out 32
M. Clarke not out 3
Extras; (nb-1) 1
Total: (3 wkts, 30 overs) 73
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-26, 3-57.
Bowling: Edwards 5-2-13-0, Shillingford 15-3-33-0, Roach 10-1-27-3.
Position: Australia lead by 127 runs.