Happy Gayle searches for swift finish

Chris Gayle has called on his bowlers to finish the job after they stunned Australia's top order during a frenetic opening to the third Test. The tourists were 111 for 5 shortly after lunch before recovering through Andrew Symonds to reach 226 for 7 when rain stopped play 90 minutes early.

"The bowlers have been doing a terrific job for the last couple of Test matches and to continue in this game is really good and it is just to finish off on a high now," Gayle said. "At the end we were stuck at five wickets for a while, which we always do. We're always stuck at five and we have to try and push on and knock over the middle and lower order."

Dwayne Bravo was the most successful bowler with 3 for 48 while Jerome Taylor collected two wickets, including Ricky Ponting for the third time in the past two Tests. "Bravo did well, extremely well, always picking up wickets for us," Gayle said. "Bravo can come in the middle and get a few wickets."

Michael Hussey went for 12 hooking Bravo to fine leg before Michael Clarke departed for zero after edging his third ball behind. Bravo returned to remove Symonds when he hit to cover, ending his important recovery on 52. The pitch offered much more pace and bounce than during the previous two Tests and the Australians suffered from being too aggressive.

"It's great to watch cricket on these sorts of wickets," Australia's coach Tim Nielsen said after play. "The margin for error is reduced so that the good players get runs and the good bowlers get wickets.

"That's what Test cricket is about. So I thought today was a really intriguing day and the game is pretty evenly balanced."

Gayle said the pitch was decent to bat on after the shine went from the ball. "Then there is not a lot of sideways movement," he said, "so once you dig in and decide you're going to bat on that track, it's very good.

"It has generated pace and it is a bit quicker now. This morning it was a bit slow, but it's getting quicker. The surface is drying out now so obviously the ball is going to come on more to the bat. Once you apply yourself you will get runs out there."