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Steve Waugh became the second highest-scorer in Test history and the first Australian to hit 30 Test centuries on Friday as his side made a huge 605 for nine declared in their first innings in the third Test against West Indies.

The Australia captain overtook Indian Sunil Gavaskar's total of 10,122 runs after reaching 60. Waugh, who made a record 157th Test appearance in the first match of the series, also overtook the late Don Bradman's Australian record of 29 Test centuries.

Waugh made 115 while Andy Bichel compounded the West Indies suffering by hitting 71, his first Test half-century and Adam Gilchrist made 65 for the tourists, leading 2-0 in the series.

West Indies, facing another fight for survival, made a solid start to their reply, surviving 23 overs to make 89 without loss at the close. Opener Chris Gayle, who missed the first two Tests because of confusion over whether he was eligible to play under West Indies Cricket Board rules, is unbeaten on 47.

Australia, surprisingly sent in to bat on a placid pitch after Brian Lara won the toss, showed no mercy to a young attack including debutants Tino Best and Omari Banks, who finished with three for 204 off 40 overs.

West Indies did not help their cause with more sloppy fielding, the most costly mistake coming when Ramnaresh Sarwan dropped Waugh in the second over of the day.

In a typically solid and patient innings which included eight fours, Waugh took 314 minutes and received 233 balls before swinging at Jermaine Lawson and losing his off stump.

But it could have been very different. Waugh had made eleven when he lofted Vasbert Drakes to Sarwan at mid-off but the West Indies vice-captain failed to take a difficult chance.

GAVASKAR ECLIPSED

Waugh also escaped when he lofted a high ball to deep mid-wicket and Sarwan, after running about 40 metres, could not hold it. He ran for three to reach 60 and pass Gavaskar's total.

Waugh escaped again on 84 when he edged Lawson to Carlton Baugh but the Jamaican wicketkeeper was slow to react and could not hold on.

Australia, resuming on 320 for three, made steady progress after Darren Lehmann was out for 96 in the second over of the day, falling lbw to Drakes.

Waugh and Gilchrist kept the total moving along, with the latter hitting a four and two sixes in successive balls off Best before lunch.

Gilchrist eventually went attempting another big hit. After driving Banks for four, he tried to hit the next delivery for six but got a top-edge and was caught at deep mid-wicket by Smith to leave Australia at 444 for five.

But there was more to come as Waugh and Bichel came together and added another 124.

Bichel hit seven fours and two sixes in a big-hitting 71 off 71 balls before being caught by Lara at mid-wicket off a Banks full toss.

In between, Waugh completed his hundred by clipping Lawson to the fine-leg, although the bowler late exacted revenge.

West Indies finally gave their supporters some cheer as Gayle hit nine fours on his way to an unbeaten 47. At the other end, Devon Smith hit six fours as he reached 34 not out.

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