Shivnarine Chanderpaul was outstanding again, but did not get enough help © DigicelCricket.com Enlarge

The coach John Dyson has rejected suggestions the West Indies batsmen threw their wickets away as they were dismissed for an unsatisfying 216 at Kensington Oval. The hosts were chasing a big first innings after knocking the tourists over for 251 early on the second day, but they could not capitalise and at stumps were 70 runs behind.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was again indestructible, reaching 79 not out, but he was left without major support. "I don't think the batsmen throw it all away just like that," Dyson said. "We're disappointed with the batting effort today and the batsmen would be first to admit that.

"I don't know about there being soft dismissals, it's a very, very fine line. You want players to be aggressive, particularly on wickets that offer a bit of pace and bounce."

Australia have not been able to remove Chanderpaul since the first Test in Jamaica and he struck 12 fours and a six in his 142-ball stay. "Chanderpaul always does make major contributions, unfortunately so far in this series some of the lesser profile players haven't made a major contribution to support that," Dyson said. "We're not converting our 20s and 30s often enough. Occasionally the execution isn't spot on and occasionally you get out to a superb catch or superb piece of fielding."

Dyson was pleased with the overall performance of the team in competing throughout the series, and said the match situation was "even". "We're going to have to bowl exceptionally well and bat exceptionally well in the final innings," Dyson said. "I don't see the wicket breaking up so it will be an interesting game from here on in."