Rain aids Australia

Stuart MacGill is mobbed after removing Ramnaresh Sarwan © Getty Images

Australia moved a step closer to clinching their series with West Indies on day three of the second Test thanks largely to the poor drainage at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

On a day’s play made memorable only by Stuart MacGill’s shock decision to retire from international cricket, the match did not resume until 3.30pm local time because of a unsuitably sodden outfield.

Perhaps fittingly, MacGill took the only wicket of the day when he had Ramnaresh Sarwan (65) well caught by Michael Clarke at slip as the home side closed on 255 for four, 224 behind.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 55 while Dwayne Bravo made 29 not out before bad light ended play with only 36 overs possible.

Australia need only a draw to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy after they won the first game of the three-Test series by 95 runs in Jamaica.

Despite clear skies overhead for the majority of the day, groundstaff struggled to clear away excess water in the outfield with umpires Mark Benson and Russell Tiffin only ruling the ground playable after tea.

It set the scene for a frustrating morning during which MacGill announced his intention to retire after the game.

The 37-year-old leg-spinner has struggled in this series on his return to international cricket following wrist surgery.

After a forgettable day with the ball on Saturday, MacGill again failed to find a consistent line or length before producing a trademark vicious turner to remove Sarwan.

The stand-in West Indies captain had brought up his half-century from 108 balls before he pushed uncertainly at a good-length delivery that left him sharply.

The ball slid across the face of his bat before Clarke completed a fine one-handed catch low to his right.

The home side needed a further 97 runs at that point to avoid the follow-on, but Bravo provided a steady presence behind the immovable Chanderpaul, who brought up his 47th Test fifty from 110 balls.