Darren Sammy celebrates David Warner's dismissal

A 82-run fifth wicket stand between skipper Michael Clarke (73) and Michael Hussey (47 not out) has reduced the threat of follow-on.

West Indies had declared their first innings at 449-9 late in the final session on day 2.

Resuming the innings at overnight score of 44-0, Australia suffered early blows when West Indies skipper Darren Sammy struck twice to dismiss both openers.

Sammy produced a sharp edge of Ed Cowan (14) behind stumps with a nagging delivery outside off stump and then edged Dave Warner (42) to Darren Bravo at slips with a typical delivery.

West Indies VS Australia: Ponting got run-out for 4 runs

Australia were not recovered from Sammy’s burst yet when a terrific throw by Kraigg Brathwaite plunked the stumps of Ricky Ponting (4) when he was just short of crease.

Ponting’s dismissal brought in Clarke, who combined with his deputy Shane Watson (39) to provisionally suspend the tumble of wickets.

The pair stitched up 49 runs for the fourth wicket before paceman Kemar Roach edged Watson behind stumps shortly after lunch to extend Australian miseries.

Batting cautiously, Clarke seemed on course towards his ton but he unwisely tried to go over the top against Bishoo and found Narsingh Deonarine in the deep.

West Indies VS Australia: Sammy delighted with his team’s performance

Hussey, who has hit six boundaries in his patient 156-ball knock so far, will resume the innings alongside Matthew Wade (19 not out) on day 4.

Sammy was delighted with the performance his team.

“The team played well. The bowlers supported each other,” he said “We’re quite happy with the way the day went.”

His Australian counterpart Clarke was disappointed with the performance of his team so far.

“We have no excuses for not bowling and fielding as well as we would have liked day one, day two and certainly no excuses for being five down on that wicket today,” he said.

However, he was still confident the Australians could win the match.

“I think we’re going to have to bowl better than what we did in the first innings and we’re going to have to try to make as many runs as we can in this first innings to see how close we are to them.

“I certainly think we can still win the Test match from here.”

West Indies VS Australia 1st Test Scorecard