McGrath bowled with his customary accuracy and menace

West Indies need 175 more runs to make Australia bat again after ending day three of the second Test on 82-4.

Glenn McGrath bowled Chris Gayle in his first over and dismissed Devon Smith, while Brett Lee removed Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Brian Lara (18) overtook Steve Waugh as the second highest Test run scorer before rain ended play early in Hobart.

Earlier, Mike Hussey top-scored with 137 as Australia lost their last nine wickets for 150 to be all out for 406.

Gayle had hit McGrath for one glorious boundary, but was brought back to earth next ball as McGrath found a way through his defences with a yorker.

Sarwan was lucky to survive an lbw appeal from Lee, but soon after Smith gave Ricky Ponting a chance in the slips and the Australia captain took it well.

LEADING TEST RUN SCORERS AR Border (Aus): 11,174 BC Lara (WI): 10,934 SR Waugh (Aus): 10,927 SR Tendulkar (Ind): 10,134 SM Gavaskar (Ind): 10,122

With the rain forcing the players on and off, Lee took Sarwan's wicket just after tea, caught behind by wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Chanderpaul was unhappy with his identical dismissal soon after, although replays suggested he had hit the ball.

The wickets were a shame for the West Indies after their bowlers had given them hope of at least pushing Australia with an excellent performance.

The tourists were also inspired by the tremendous fielding of substitute fielder Dwayne Smith, who took two catches and provided a brilliant run-out.

Resuming on 256-1, Australia struggled with Ponting (17) and Michael Clarke (5) both going early on.

It was everything I hoped - and hopefully there'll be a few more Brad Hodge on his debut More day three reaction

Hussey then departed for 137 and Australia's batting crumbled, with Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist all out cheaply.

Test debutant Brad Hodge's composed 60 was the highlight as Australia moved into a 257-run lead.

Ponting was bowled by Fidel Edwards off the first ball he faced, mistiming his shot and dragging the ball onto the stumps.

Clarke, under pressure for his place, was out six overs later as Smith claimed a fine catch in the covers to provide Edwards with his second wicket.

Ponting was bowled by Fidel Edwards for 17 runs

Smith's superb pick-up and direct hit - allied to some confusion between the two batsmen - accounted for Symonds, who had scored just one run in his first Test for 20 months.

The all-rounder briefly looked to have received an unwarranted reprieve as the third umpire's decision flashed up on the screens as "not out" despite replays showing him to be well short of his ground.

But after an embarrassing period of confusion - it emerged the third umpire had pressed the wrong button - Symonds was given out to bring Gilchrist to the crease.

The wicket-keeper promptly gave Smith another catch at point off Dwayne Bravo for two runs.

Warne made just one before slashing a wide delivery from Daren Powell and offering Sarwan a straightforward catch at first slip.

Hodge and Lee's partnership finally stopped the rot for Australia, but Lee went soon after lunch with a wild shot.