This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Australia Builds Massive Lead Against West Indies In Boxing Day Test

By The Way, Australia Is STILL Dominating The Boxing Day Test
Australian batsman Steve Smith pulls a ball to leg from the West Indies bowling on the third day of the second cricket Test in Melbourne on December 28, 2015. AFP PHOTO / William WEST --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO COMMERCIAL USE-- / AFP / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images
Australian batsman Steve Smith pulls a ball to leg from the West Indies bowling on the third day of the second cricket Test in Melbourne on December 28, 2015. AFP PHOTO / William WEST --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO COMMERCIAL USE-- / AFP / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Australia's merciless wipeout of the West Indies in the Boxing Day Test continued on Monday as Steve Smith and his men improved upon their massive lead.

Australia led by 458 at stumps on day three at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, meaning the calypso tourists would have to break a world record to catch them.

The current Test record stands at 418 and with no incentive for Smith to declare Australia's second innings closed with two more days remaining, the Windies would have to make this literally the greatest Test match of all time to have a chance.

Australia has made the visiting side look even worse than their Test ranking of eighth this summer, calling into question how long the West Indies will remain a unified cricket state.

Dwayne Bravo toiled with the bat to score a respectable 81 in the Windies' first innings of 271, but that still paled in comparison to Australia's start of 3/551 (dec). Rather than enforce the follow-on, Smith gave his teammates another crack with the bat and himself the chance to post back-to-back hundreds.

The leading run scorer this calendar year, Smith backed up his unbeaten 134 in the first innings with 70 not out as Australia reached stumps at 3 for 179.

Smith may fancy passing hundred himself and seeing what Mitch Marsh can do -- promoted in place of runs machine Adam Voges to #5 on the order -- before he declares and sends the West Indies back in against Pattinson, Lyon, Siddle and Hazlewood.

But the real mystery is how Australian fans will maintain their interest in this series after watching Smith and co. hammer the Windies by more than an innings in the first Test and cruise through Boxing Day -- generally anticipated as the Test of the summer.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.