At stumps the Windies were 2-214, a deficit of 306, after Australia's first innings was declared at 7-520.

 

Gayle's knock of 102 from just 72 deliveries overshadowed a brilliant 88 by Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and Warriors Captain Marcus North's hard-fought 68 in his first Test innings at the WACA Ground.

 

The Windies superstar, who will be lining up for the Retravision Warriors in the upcoming KFC Twenty20 Big Bash competition, thrilled the crowd of 10,054 with his dazzling stroke play, which included nine fours and six sixes.

 

Two of the deliveries that went sailing over the fence will long be remembered by all present – a mammoth shot to long off that went on to the roof of the Lillee Marsh Stand, reminiscent of a similar strike by former Australian batsman Mark Waugh off New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori in 1997, as well as the six straight down the ground which brought up his 12th Test century in style. Both blows came from Aussie off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

 

Gayle was out in the over immediately after chalking up three figures, mistiming a cut shot off Doug Bollinger and hitting straight to Shane Watson at point.

 

Ramnaresh Sarwan joined Travis Dowlin at the crease at 1-136, and the latter quietly went about his business as he set about reaching his second half-century of the series.

 

Dowlin brought up that milestone, but like his skipper, he too was dismissed shortly after the celebrations, caught by Mike Hussey in the gully region off Mitchell Johnson for 55.

 

Sarwan (42 not out) and Narsingh Deonarine (10 not out), in his first match of the series after replacing injured veteran Shiv Chanderpaul, saw things through until the close of play with an unbroken 39-run stand for the third wicket.

 

Earlier, the Aussies began the day on 3-339 with Mike Hussey and Marcus North hoping to give the Western Australian fans something extra to cheer about and celebrating a big score on their home turf.

 

Hussey was aiming to score his first century in 14 months when he resumed on 81, but he added just one run to his overnight score before he was dismissed by Ravi Rampaul, caught behind by wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

 

Haddin came to the crease and immediately made his presence felt with a series of excellent strokes that kept the scoreboard ticking over.

 

North brought up his half century to rapturous applause, but his attempt to become the first Australian to reach three figures in this series also fell short when he spooned a return catch to spinner Deonarine and was out for 68.

 

Haddin and Johnson (35) then combined for a 66-run sixth wicket partnership which took the score past 500, but both fell in quick succession to bring about the close of the innings.

 

Kemar Roach (2-104) and Deonarine (2-74) were the only multiple wicket-takers for the visitors, while Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo and Sulieman Benn picked up one apiece.

 

With the series still alive and stakes high, tensions arose shortly after the lunch break when Haddin, Johnson and Benn were involved in a heated mid-pitch confrontation.

 

And although Australian skipper Ricky Ponting did not bat after he was struck in the arm by a Roach thunderbolt on day one, he took his customary place at second slip as the home side went into the field for the Windies innings.

 

Play continues at the WACA Ground on day three of the 3 mobile Test Match tomorrow morning from 10.30. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122 or ticketmaster.com.au.