Cricket: Slump wipes Aussie smiles

Spinner Nathan Hauritz holds the key to Australia's chances of victory against the West Indies in the third Test in Perth.

At stumps late last night (NZT) on day three, Australia were precariously placed at 8-137, an overall lead of 345, with Hauritz (11no) and debutant Clint McKay (1no) to resume on a wearing pitch offering plenty of turn.

Skipper Ricky Ponting, still nursing damaged tendons in his left arm after copping a bouncer, had planned not to bat in the second innings but made an appearance at No 9 as wickets tumbled.

But he posted just two runs before popping a rising delivery from Kemar Roach to short leg.

While the first two days of the test saw 734 runs plundered for the loss of only nine wickets, yesterday belonged to the bowlers as both teams suffered batting collapses that have left the match delicately poised.

The West Indies lost their last six wickets for 27 runs to be all out for 312 - a daunting 208 runs short of Australia's 7 for 520 declared.

Ponting decided not to enforce the follow-on and the home side eased their way to 1-66 before disaster struck.

Australia lost seven wickets for 68. Off-spinner Sulieman Benn (2-26 off nine overs) and paceman Dwayne Bravo (3-34) helped spark the collapse.

Meanwhile, Benn has been banned for two one-day internationals for his ugly mid-pitch confrontations with Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson on Thursday. The two Australians have been fined 25 and 10 per cent of their match fees respectively.

- AAP