SYDNEY (AP) The West Indies stuttered to 115-3 at tea in a rain-affected first day of the third test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Only 37 minutes of play took place after lunch, but Australia seized the initiative in that brief session by capturing the prize wicket of Darren Bravo for 33 and also removed Marlon Samuels before rain forced players from the field.
Kraigg Brathwaite was 66 not out at tea with Jermaine Blackwood set to join him upon the resumption of play, which is likely to be delayed due to a damp outfield.
James Pattinson enticed Bravo into an uncontrolled hook which was caught by Usman Khawaja at deep square leg, and the visitors compounded the setback in near comical fashion when Samuels was run out for four in the final ball before the rain delay.
Samuels pushed a Nathan Lyon delivery to point and set off for a run. Brathwaite, however, caused confusion as he slipped in the middle of the pitch, dropped his bat and scrambled back toward the non-strikers end, leaving Samuels stranded mid-pitch. Josh Hazlewood made the short throw to Peter Nevill who completed the runout and continue a dismal tour for the West Indian.
Shai Hope (9), a late selection for the injured Rajendra Chandrika who injured a groin in the warm-up, was the only wicket to fall in the opening session, caught behind off Hazelwood
Australia leads the series 2-0 after winning the first test at Hobart by an innings and 212 runs and a series clinching 177-run victory in the second test at Melbourne.
