MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Carlos Brathwaite made the most of two reprieves to bring up a defiant half century on his test debut as the West Indies stubbornly batted through Monday's third morning of the second test chasing Australia's first-innings of 551-3 declared.
Brathwaite and Darren Bravo shared a dogged seventh-wicket stand of 90 to guide the West Indies to 173-7 at lunch after resuming the day on a perilous 91-6.
Brathwaite was out for 59, caught and bowled by offspinner Nathan Lyon (3-40) off the last ball before lunch. Bravo was unbeaten on 35 to be joined by Kemar Roach after the break.
James Pattinson (2-51) appeared to dismiss Brathwaite twice in the session, only to have both deliveries called for no balls.
Brathwaite had the luckiest of escapes while on 13 when he was clean bowled by a Pattison no ball. He then set about riding his luck by playing some expansive strokes to guide two fours and a big six from his 126 balls.
Pattinson was called for another no ball when Brathwaite was caught at long leg when on 50.
Veteran batsman Bravo, the previous West Indian to make a test half century on debut five years ago, was happy to play a supporting role and hand Brathwaite the strike as much as possible.
Brathwaite was finally out for good when Lyon shaped a delivery toward the off stump that the batsman nicked back toward the bowler's end.
The West Indies narrowed the first-innings deficit to 378 runs behind Australia, and the longer it prolongs its innings, the more likely it is that Australia captain Steve Smith will elect to bat again rather than enforce the follow on, so as to give his bowlers some rest.
Pattinson, Lyon and Peter Siddle claimed two wickets each in the evening session Sunday, raising the likelihood of another route similar to Australia's innings and 212-run victory in the first test.
