PERTH: West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck the sixth-fastest century in Test history on an incident-packed second day of the third match against Australia today.

But the tourists remain on the back foot after Australia declared on 520-7. Mike Hussey (82), Marcus North (68) and Brad Haddin (88) all weighed in, before Gayle smashed 102 from just 72 balls as the Windies closed on 214-2. The game threatened to boil over after a collision between Sulieman Benn and Mitchell Johnson led to a serious row. The collision, which occurred when Johnson headed to the non-striker’s end, prompted a war of words between Haddin and Benn.

Two balls later, Haddin prodded the ball back to the spinner and a frustrated Benn shaped to shy at the stumps, causing the batsman to flinch. Haddin’s response was to come down the pitch and confront Benn and things turned more unsavoury when Johnson came in from the side to push the West Indian, forcing umpire Billy Bowden to step in. It was the second unpleasant incident in two days of play after Australia captain Ricky Ponting had a run-in with Dwayne Bravo on the opening day, resulting in more pushing.

The incident between Haddin and Benn appeared to fire up Gayle, who tore into the Australia bowling, crashing nine fours and six sixes in making his 12th Test century before being dismissed by Doug Bollinger. The fastest Test century was scored by fellow West Indian Viv Richards, who reached three figures in just 56 balls against England at St John’s in 1986. Gayle put on 136 for the opening wicket with Travis Dowlin, who made a more patient 55, before Ramnaresh Sarwan (42 not out) and Narsingh Deonarine (10 not out) guided the tourists through to stumps.

Australia had resumed on 339-3 and Mike Hussey was caught behind off Ravi Rampaul after adding just one to his overnight 81. North pushed a full toss from Deonarine straight back to the bowler just before lunch having made 68, and after the interval Haddin and Johnson cut loose.

Haddin hit two sixes and 11 fours in his 88, while Johnson hit a six and three fours in his 35 before Ponting declared. Fifteen times Australia batsmen have reached half-centuries but failed to reach three figures in the three-match series, which Australia lead 1-0.

In this game alone, Shane Watson (89), Simon Katich (99), Mike Hussey (82) and Marcus North (68) have failed to make 100 when well placed. Australia’s total was the second highest in which no player reached three figures. India made 524-9 against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976 with no one making a hundred.