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Australia surged to a commanding 181-run lead over the West Indies by stumps on day two of the third Test at Sabina Park, finishing at 99-6 in their second innings after bowling out the hosts for 143 earlier in the day.

Despite a spirited fightback from the West Indies' bowlers, the hosts remain firmly in control after posting 225 in their first innings.

Resuming the second day on 16 for one, overnight batsman Brandon King on eight and captain Roston Chase on three, the pair negotiated the first seven overs with King showing his familiarity with the Sabina surface with a couple of handsome off drives to the boundary.

With the score on 28, King played around an inswing delivery from Josh Hazelwood to be trapped in front for 14.

John Campbell who sustained a collarbone injury while fielding on the opening day, was next to come in, and he and Chase navigated the next hour, before Chase survived a caught behind opportunity, after Scott Boland had overstepped and a no ball was called.

The watch and wait game prolonged until 20 minutes before the scheduled first break when Roston Chase on 18, edged Pat Cummins to slip, to leave the hosts on 58-3.

On the resumption, Campbell looked to step up the tempo with a beautiful cover drive off Josh Hazelwood, but his aggression didn't last much longer as Boland got one to dart back from outside off stump and Campbell offered no stroke and was adjudged leg before wicket for 36 to leave the Windies precariously placed at 82 for four.

The Aussies decided to step on the accelerator, and in short order they picked up another scalp.

With the score on 95, Mikyle Louis who had faced 30 balls for just seven runs was bowled by Hazelwood.

Shai Hope had helped himself to three lovely boundaries, but Boland had something up his sleeve and sent back the Barbadian with one that nipped back and hit the stumps to the bewilderment of the local fans.

The inexplicable run out of Justin Greaves for 18, swiftly signalled the demise of the West Indies innings which quickly folded at 143 in 52.1 overs.

Boland finished with three for 34 while Hazelwood and Cummins took two wickets each.

With an 82-run lead, the Australians were looking to press home the advantage. Their second innings faltered against a spirited West Indies bowling attack under lights, as they finished at 99-6 with a lead of 181 heading into today's third day.

Earlier the pep talk inside the West Indies dressing room seemed to have worked, as the visitors suffered early setbacks. Shamar Joseph struck twice in quick succession, removing Sam Konstas for a duck and Usman Khawaja for 14.

The experienced Steve Smith on five fell soon after, trapped leg before wicket by Alzarri Joseph, leaving Australia reeling at 28-3.

Cameron Green stood firm with an unbeaten 42, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Travis Head 16 and Beau Webster 13 showed brief resistance before falling to Justin Greaves and Alzarri Joseph, respectively.

Joseph then claimed his third victim. After hitting Alex Carey in the head with a sharp bouncer, he had the wicketkeeper caught for a duck in the same over, leaving Australia at a precarious position of 69-6.

Captain Pat Cummins five not out survived a testing spell to remain alongside Green at stumps, but with only the tail enders left, Australia's hopes of setting a daunting target now rest on their lower order.

The West Indies bowlers, led by Alzarri Joseph 3-19 and Shamar Joseph 2-26, exploited the night conditions superbly, keeping the pressure on throughout the session.

With the match finely poised, day three promises a gripping battle as the West Indies look to restrict Australia's lead and mount a chase on a pitch that has aided the bowlers.