Mark Waugh century gives Australia control in Test

Mark Waugh guided Australia into a winning position and rescued an international career under serious threat during a pugnacious four and a half hour innings against the West Indies on the second day of the second sTest here Saturday.

Waugh hammered his 18th Test century, stroking 119 as Australia made 396 for eight declared, giving them a lead of exactly 200 over the West Indies, dismissed for a modest 196 on the opening day at the WACA Ground.

The West Indies had two early setbacks at the start of their second innings, losing vice captain Sherwin Campbell for four to firebrand Brett Lee in the second over and nightwatchman Mervyn Dillon (3) to Glenn McGrath from the last ball of the day.

After 6.3 fiery overs by Lee and first innings hattrick hero McGrath, the West Indies limped to stumps with 16 for two, needing another 184 runs to make Australia bat again.

The not out batsman is Daren Ganga (9) and Wavell Hinds is expected to join him at the crease Sunday.

Lee struck with the last ball of his opening over as Campbell edged to fourth slip where Jason Gillespie pouched the chance. Waugh's innings placed Australia in a strong position from which to push for a world record 12th successive Test win over the remaining three days.

Waugh arrived at the wicket with the home country a troubled 111 for three, and after an uncertain start - in which he was dropped on 21 - he gradually gained confidence to punish a tiring attack as he thrashed 12 thundering boundaries.

He shared crucial stands of 65 with brother Steve Waugh (26), 95 with wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist (50) and 45 with Brett Lee (41 not out) after the West Indies had threatened to restrict Australia to a modest lead.

Waugh was under intense pressure to perform after calls for him to be dropped until the completion of investigations in the wake of allegations of corruption in a recent report by India's Central Bureau of Investigation.

Waugh is one of a number of international players named in the report for allegedly receiving money from bookmakers to provide information.

An Australian national newspaper has demanded Waugh be dropped from the Test side until he has been cleared.

Waugh was lucky early in his innings to be missed by a diving Daren Ganga, at backward point, off fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, at a decisive stage, with Australia in an uncertain position with 159 for four.

That was one of four catches to go to ground on a horror day in the field for the demoralised tourists.

Early in the day, opening batsman Matthew Hayden (69) was missed at 53 and 58, and in the final session Gilchrist survived a chance at 43.

Hayden's first "life" came when he cracked the ball back to veteran fast bowler Courtney Walsh, who was unable to hang on to the low chance as the ball bent back the ring finger of his right hand. Walsh was rushed to hospital in severe pain for X-rays, which revealed only bruising.

The 38-year-old Walsh was able to resume in the afternoon session when he produced his best spell of the tour as he trapped Steve Waugh and Gilchrist.

The two successes boosted his Test wickets tally to 486, leaving him needing only 14 more to become the first bowler in the game's history to collect 500 scalps.

West Indies
1st innings 196 (R. D. Jacobs 96 not out, W. W. Hinds 50, M. Dillon 27; J. N. Gillespie 3-46, G. D. McGrath 3-48, S. C. G. MacGill 2-47, B. Lee 2-52)
Second innings
S. L. Campbell c Gillespie b Lee 4
D. Ganga not out 9
M. Dillon c Gilchrist b McGrath 3
W. W. Hinds not out 0

Extras(0) 0

Total (2 wkts, 6.3 overs) 16

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-16

Bowling: G. D. McGrath 3.3-1-6-1, B. Lee 3-0-10-1

Australia 1st innings (72 for two overnight)
M. L. Hayden b Black 69
M. J. Slater c Campbell b Dillon 19
J. L. Langer c Sarwan b McLean 5
J. N. Gillespie c Lara b McLean 23
M. E. Waugh c Adams b Dillon 119
S. E. Waugh c Campbell b Walsh 26
R. T. Ponting b Black 5
A. C. Gilchrist c McLean b Walsh 50
B. Lee not out 41
S. C. G. MacGill not out 18

Extras (w2, lb10 , nb7, b2) 21

Total ( 8 wkts dec, 108 overs) 396

Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-62, 3-111, 4-123, 5-188, 6-208, 7-303, 8-348

Bowling:
C. A. Walsh 31-9-74-2 (6nb)
M. I. Black 18-2-87-2 (1b)
M. Dillon 29-4-130-2 (2w)
N.A.M. McLean 22-3-78-2
J. Adams 8-3-15-0

Mail Cricket Editor