Winning definitely a possibility, says Ramdin

With batsmen like Brian Lara still in contention, Denesh Ramdin believes mission impossible is definitely a possibility © Getty Images

It will take a history-thumping performance, but Denesh Ramdin believes West Indies are capable of pulling off a chase that currently sits at a distant 508. Australia have dominated the first three days of the series and after piling on 2 for 283 in the second innings, including centuries from Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting, rain and a batting miracle are their only threats.

However, Ramdin, who was unbeaten on 37 as West Indies were dismissed for 210, felt mission impossible was definitely a possibility. "It depends on how long they bat for tomorrow but we will set session-by-session targets," he said. "Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, these guys are hungry for it and will put up a fight."

There was not much resistance during the first innings as they fell to Shane Warne's five wickets and the disappointment was evident in the field when sloppy fielding and dropped catches littered the performance. "We feel uncomfortable about it," Ramdin said. "The guys are not fielding as well as they can but they will forget about it and move on."

The situation of the game allowed Matthew Hayden to bat with commanding authority on his way to his 24th Test century, a 118 which included ten fours and two powerful sixes. "It dictated the way I played and I was able to be more dominant," he said. "I wasn't really prepared to ground things out."

Hayden was stuck on 99 for 17 deliveries but felt the frustration of the spectators was greater than his, even though he took a risky single to his hundred that should have resulted in his run out. "It was a bad decision," he said. "Being my home ground, the crowd was probably more nervous than me, but a dirty big mow over the top might have been the better go."

Australia surprisingly took an offer of the light with Ponting on 104 and Michael Clarke 14, and Hayden expected they would declare early in the morning if the conditions were similar to the cloudy and wet weather of the previous two days. "The follow-on wasn't discussed at all and this wicket is going to turn," he said. "We're now in such a great position as a result of grounding them down we can declare any time now."