Australia was on course for a crushing victory after spearhead Glenn McGrath led a demolition job of the West Indian batting order at Bellerive Oval.

The Australian bowling attack squeezed the life out of the Windies as the attempt by the tourists to show more patience ended up counting for little in the second Test.

McGrath (4-31), speedster Brett Lee (3-32) and recalled legspinner Stuart MacGill (3-18) shared the spoils as the visitors, 3-119 at one stage, were bundled out for 149 on a good batting deck.

In reply, Australia had cruised to 0-60 at stumps with Matthew Hayden (31no) and Mike Hussey (26no) at the crease, only 89 runs behind the Windies' first dig.

The tourists, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, could be in a for a long stint in the field with batting conditions expected to be at their best on Friday and Saturday.

After opting to bat, flamboyant opener Chris Gayle (56) and captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul (39) played the only innings of note for their team as six West Indians failed to reach double figures.

Gayle, who suffers from heart murmurs, retired hurt on 18 because he was feeling unwell before returning later in the innings.

The West Indian cause wasn't aided with two line-ball LBW decisions ending the innings of Brian Lara (13) and Gayle.

However those decisions only slowed down the demise of the Windies who had looked to be building towards a healthy total at 3-119 just before tea.

But some MacGill magic removed Chanderpaul and the visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 30 runs.

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