The second day's play in the third Test between Australia and the West Indies at the WACA on Thursday was marred by an ugly confrontation between Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Windies bowler Sulieman Benn.
With the hosts consolidating on their huge total, tempers frayed in the first over after lunch, when Mitchell Johnson and Benn bumped into each other as the former was attempting a run. Two deliveries later Haddin, who was at the other end, got involved.
A few words were exchanged between Benn and Haddin but things came to a head when the West Indies spinner threatened to hurl the ball at Haddin. The players confronted each other again at the end of the over as Benn pointed his finger at Haddin, forcing Johnson to step in between the two. There was a bit of shoving and pusing, and umpire Billy Bowden had to intervene.
Australia, who ended Day 1 on a handsome 339 for 3, declared their first innings on 520-7.
When stumps were drawn for the day, the West Indies were 2-214, still 306 behind Australia.
The West Indies' solid reply was led by captain Chris Gayle, who hit a 70-ball hundred. A six straight down the ground gave him the fifth fastest Test century of all-time. It was his 12th Test hundred and second in as many innings, having scored a brilliant 165 in the second innings of the second Test of the ongoing series at the Adelaide Oval.
Ramnaresh Sarwan (42) and Narsingh Deonarine (10) were unbeaten at the end of the day.
Earlier, Haddin scored 88 off 91 balls, inclusive of 11 fours and two sixes, and added 89 runs with Marcus North (67) and 66 with last man out Johnson (35).
Haddin joined Simon Katich (99), Shane Watson (89), Michael Hussey (82) and North in falling short of a century as he was caught behind by Ramadin off Kemar Roach.
Australia declared the innings after Johnson holed out to Benn off Dwayne Bravo. They were just five runs away from going past the highest ever Test innings total without a century being scored in the innings.
The highest innings total without a hundred 524 for 9, set by India against New Zealand in 1976.
