PERTH: Australia took just three and a half overs to complete a 35-run win over West Indies in the third Test in Perth and take the series by a 2-0 margin.

The tourists began the final day on 308-9 with hopes pinned on last-wicket pair Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge, who needed to score 51 runs for victory. They added 15 but Roach was then given out caught behind off Doug Bollinger.

He asked for the decision to reviewed by the TV umpire but replays were inconclusive and the decision stood. Roach, who made 17, was convinced he had not nicked it but had to go, leaving Tonge unbeaten on 23.

It was their fifth successive series defeat by Australia but they could take some positives from

a series which saw a number

of their leading players making their comeback to international cricket after several months

on the sidelines because of a

contractual dispute.

Teenager Adrian Barath

hit a century in the opening match in Brisbane, fast bowler Roach showed real potential

despite only taking seven

wickets in the series and skipper Chris Gayle hit the fifth-fastest hundred in Test history in the first innings in Perth.

They did well to go so close at the Waca after being 68-3 at the start of their run-chase, with Narsingh Deonarine making an excellent 82 in his first Test appearance for four years.

“If you look back to Brisbane, we obviously dominated that game and played really well to finish it in three days, but the last two Tests have been a bit harder for us. The West Indies have lifted (themselves) a bit and played some good cricket. This has been a particularly good Test match. We were a little bit disappointed we couldn’t finish things off last night, being my birthday it

would have been nice to get one more wicket, but I’m pretty proud and happy with what the boys have achieved over the last few weeks,” said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Opposite number Chris Gayle said he was satisfied with the way his team had bounced back from their heavy defeat in the first Test.

“A few injuries intervened in the series which kind of pushed us onto the back foot, but the guys stepped up and did well with the bat — Shiv (Chanderpaul) didn’t play this Test match but Narsingh Deonarine chipped in well and Brendan Nash,” he commented.