Duo rescue draw for Windies

Ramnaresh Sarwan reaches his hundred © Getty Images

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Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul produced a brilliant backs-to-the-wall performance to rescue a draw for the West Indies in the second Test against Australia.

The pair put on a 143 for the fourth wicket in a partnership which spanned all three sessions as the Windies closed on 266 for five, chasing 372 for victory.

The innings was more about dogged determination determination than attacking flair though as the duo showed real character to frustrate the Australian attack, even though victory was all but out of the question.

Captain Sarwan was finally dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for a magnificent 128.

Brett Lee struck soon after to dismiss Dwayne Bravo for just one - his third wicket of the innings - but Chanderpaul stuck it out until the end, finishing unbeaten on 77.

The draw saw Australia retain the the Frank-Worrell Trophy, but the final day was a victory for the fighting spirit of Sarwan and Chanderpaul, whose partnership lasted more than 50 overs.

The duo started their partnership with the Windies struggling on 84 for three and in danger of surrendering the three-match series with a whimper, but they dug in their heels to ensure the first drawn Test between the two sides since 1995.

Earlier Lee, who lit up the first innings with five wickets, claimed two more before lunch as the tourists made a flying start.

Australia declared on their overnight total of 244 for six, a lead of 371, and it did not take long for them to strike in the morning session.

Andrew Symonds and Mitchell Johnson carry Stuart MacGill off after his final Test appearance

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Lee continued where he left off to dismiss Devon Smith for a duck, Michael Hussey taking the catch, and when fellow opener Xavier Marshall nicked a Stuart Clark delivery behind to Haddin, the hosts were rocking on 19 for two.

But Sarwan, who hit a dogged half-century in the first innings, came to the crease and again helped to steady a rocking Windies ship.

Lee was not to be kept quiet for long though and he removed Runako Morton (14) lbw with a textbook inswinger.

But none of the fearsome visiting attack were able to strike again before tea as the discipline of Sarwan and Chanderpaul pulled the Windies out of the mire.

Sarwan did escape a stumping when he was deceived by a superb leg break from Stuart MacGill - playing his last Test for Australia - and Brad Haddin whipped off the bails, but the third umpire ruled he had just got his back foot in the crease in the nick of time.

The pair continued where they left off in the final session and it was not until Ricky Ponting took the new ball that Johnson made the breakthrough.

Sarwan got a leading edge to his delivery and was caught at point by Hussey as his 241-ball innings came to an end.

Bravo too was swiftly sent packing, but Denesh Ramdin joined Chanderpaul at the crease and contributed 21 to help guide the Windies to safety.