Clarke takes centre stage

Michael Clarke reaches three figures, his second straight Test century © Getty Images

Michael Clarke hit a century to guide Australia to an imposing first-innings 479 and then claimed two wickets to give West Indies a mountain to climb on day two of the second Test.

The hosts finished the day on 125 for three, having lost opener Devon Smith in the 10th over and Xavier Marshall (53) and Runako Morton (two) in quick succession to trail by 354 runs at the close of play in Antigua.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (32 not out) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (five not out) remain unbeaten at the crease overnight and will be required to significantly build on their partnership on Sunday if the Windies are to avoid going 2-0 down in the series, with one Test remaining.

Clarke was earlier in sparkling form with the bat, his 110 allowing the tourists to declare on 479 for seven at tea.

Simon Katich (113) failed to add to his overnight total and was back in the dressing room in the third over of the day, but Clarke and Brett Lee, who hit 65 not, put Australia firmly in the ascendancy.

With Australia starting the day on 259 for three, West Indies made an early breakthrough when Katich was caught behind off Jerome Taylor, but any joy at the early wicket was tempered by Clarke's exquisite strokeplay.

He picked up where he left off in the previous Test and reached a second consecutive Test century with a superb on-driven four off Daren Powell.

Andrew Symonds made 18 before tickling Fidel Edwards down the leg side into the gloves of Denesh Ramdin before lunch.

Brad Haddin (33) added 64 with Clarke but fell to the third ball after the interval, chipping Taylor’s slower ball to Morton at mid-on.

Clarke eventually succumbed to Powell, top-edging a pull to Marshall at midwicket, but Lee brought up Australia's 400 by cutting a Powell long hop for four.

He and Mitchell Johnson were fortunate the Windies' fielding was below par – they were dropped by Edwards and Dwayne Bravo respectively, with Darren Sammy the unlucky bowler.

Lee reached his fifty with a slog for six before Australia confirmed their declaration during the interval.

In reply, Smith made little impact before he struck at a short, wide Mitchell Johnson delivery to Symonds at mid-on.

Marshall hit eight fours in his 69-ball innings but had a lapse in concentration when he was adjudged leg before to Clarke, hit on the back leg offering no stroke.

Morton was dismissed in the same over, attempting to smash one over the leg side but succeeding only in finding Katich at short midwicket.