Cricket: Billy in the middle

Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden felt the heat in Perth yesterday as a fiery middle session between Australia and the West Indies threatened to boil over.

Australian batsmen Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Windies spinner Sulieman Benn are expected to face ICC scrutiny after a series of physical exchanges between the trio on day two of the second Test between Australia and the West Indies at the WACA ground.

Johnson and Benn exchanged words after becoming tangled, before Haddin got involved. Windies skipper Chris Gayle and Bowden stepped in to cool the situation.

Two balls later, Haddin and Benn were at it again after the bowler threatened to throw down the stumps.

Australia declared their first innings closed at 7-520 midway through the day. At stumps, the Windies had lost two wickets for 214 runs.

Opener Gayle blasted 102 off 72 deliveries to enter the record books with test cricket's fifth-fastest century.

- AAP