Monumental effort needed - Brathwaite

MELBOURNE, Australia, (CMC):

All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has praised West Indies' fightback but believes it will take a "monumental effort" in order to avoid defeat to Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Windies ended the third day yesterday trailing by 459 runs after being dismissed for 271 in response to the Aussies' mammoth first-innings total of 551 for three declared.

Batting a second time, Australia reached 179 for three at the close to pile even more pressure on the Windies.

"From a team point of view, I was happy with the fight that we showed," said Brathwaite, who is playing in his debut Test.

BOUNCING BACK

"Ultimately, the game is still very, very far out of our hands, and it will take a monumental effort to bring ourselves back into the game, even in trying to draw it or win it, but that's a challenge we'll look at tomorrow."

Brathwaite played a key role in the Windies' resistance on yesterday's third day, stroking a positive 59 in a 90-run seventh-wicket stand with left-hander Darren Bravo, who top-scored with 81.

The partnership hauled the Caribbean side around from a precarious position of 91 for six at the start.

Bizarrely, Brathwaite was given two lives - on 13 and on 50 - after fast bowler James Pattinson dismissed him twice with front-foot no-balls.

"Personally, I was a bit fortunate ... and I am just happy I could contribute to a fighting day's performance," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"And I hope that the fans in the West Indies can get to put a smile back on their faces so they can realise we're not just here for being here sake, and we actually want to compete and do well."

West Indies produced a horror showing in the Hobart first Test to lose by an innings and 212 runs and also struggled on the first two days of the current encounter, allowing Australia to pile up in excess of 500 for the second straight game.

HIGH SPIRITS

However, Brathwaite said that despite the poor results on tour, the Windies team spirit remained high and players were continuing to work hard behind the scenes.

"I think the team spirit is there. Fortunately for me, I see it day in day out, the way we train ... the way we operate off the field," the Barbadian pointed out.

"When performances aren't going well, it is difficult to see energy and how hard guys work, and I don't think the wider public is seeing the effort we put in, which is unfortunate," he said.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 551-3 decl

WEST INDIES 1st Innings

(overnight 91 for six)

K Brathwaite c Burns b Lyon 17

R Chandrika lbw b Pattinson 25

DM Bravo c Smith b Pattinson 81

M Samuels lbw b Pattinson 0

J Blackwood c & b Lyon 28

+D Ramdin c Burns b Siddle 0

*J Holder b Siddle 0

C Brathwaite c and b Lyon 59

K Roach lbw b Pattinson 22

J Taylor c wkp Nevill b Lyon 15

JA Warrican not out 11

Extras: (b5, lb3, nb5) 13

Total: (all out; 100.3 overs) 271

Fall of wickets: 1-35 (K Brathwaite), 2-50 (Chandrika), 3-50 (Samuels), 4-82 (Blackwood,), 5-83 (Ramdin), 6-83 (Holder), 7-173 (C Brathwaite), 8-215 (Roach), 9-239 (Taylor), 10-271 (Bravo).

Bowling: Hazlewood 21-6-49-0, Pattinson 22.3-1-72-4 (nb4), Lyon 29-8-66-4, Siddle 18-3-40-2 (nb1), Marsh 7-4-15-0, Smith 3-0-21-0.

AUSTRALIA 2nd Innings

J Burns c K Brathwaite b Holder 4

D Warner c Holder b C Brathwaite 17

U Khawaja c wkp Ramdin b Holder 56

*S Smith not out 70

M Marsh not out 18

Extras: (lb7, w2, nb5) 14

Total: (3 wkts, 32 overs) 179

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Burns), 2-46 (Warner), 3-123 (Khawaja)

Bowling: Taylor 3-0-24-0, Holder 11-1-49-2 (nb1), C Brathwaite 6-1-30-1 (w1), Roach 4-0-22-0, Warrican 8-0-47-0.

Position: Australia lead by 459 runs.

Toss: West Indies.