Australia took three wickets in six runs to gain a grip against West Indies in a third Test that had earlier looked to be slipping away from them.

After looking well set at 72 without loss, West Indies finished the day on 85 for three at Bridgetown, Barbados. Brian Lara's men need a further 223 to take a 2-1 lead in the series and the Australians must now be the favourites to win this match.

All three West Indies wickets went to lbws. First to go was Sherwin Campbell, trapped by Glenn McGrath for 33. Stuart MacGill's persistence paid off when he claimed the wicket of Dave Joseph for a single. Nightwatchman Pedro Collins, drafted in to protect Lara, was third out when he suffered his second duck of the match.

So much will depend on Lara who was unbeaten on two not out at the close with young opener Adrian Griffith still there on 35.

Earlier, veteran West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh claimed another five-wicket haul as Australia slumped to 146 all out in their second innings.

Walsh finished with five for 39 as the Australians lost eight wickets in the first two sessions to leave the hosts needing 308 to win.