Rampant Australia swell mammoth lead to 459 in Windies test

Australia amassed a formidable 459-run lead over the West Indies and were heading for a series victory with two days left in the second test in Melbourne on Monday.

After dismissing the outgunned tourists for 271 and a 280-run first innings lead, skipper Steve Smith did not enforce the follow-on, preferring to recharge his bowlers and bat a second time.

By close on the third day, Smith had led the Australians to 179 for three with his virtuoso unbeaten knock of 70 off 70 balls with the under-used Mitchell Marsh, elevated to fifth in the order, chipping in with 18.

The Australians have been far superior and seemed intent on constructing a huge overall lead and bowling out the Windies for a fourth time in the one-sided series.

Australia crushed the Windies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart and have lost only 10 wickets for 1,313 runs in three incomplete innings.

Smith had Sunday’s third Test in Sydney and the extra bowling workload in mind when he decided not to put the Windies back in to bat.