Jacques (left) and Katich celebrate their enormous partnership

Australia opener Simon Katich batted throughout the third day of the third Test to put the visitors in a strong position against West Indies.

Katich finished on 148 not out to lead his team to 330-3 at stumps in their second innings, an overall lead of 365.

Katich and fellow opener Phil Jacques (108) put on 223 for the first wicket, before Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey both fell cheaply after tea.

But West Indies, 1-0 down in the series, face a fight to save the game.

Australia began the day on 35-0 and quickly took the game away from West Indies, who were desperate for early wickets at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

They were 163-0 at lunch and Jacques was first to reach his hundred, driving left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn through extra-cover for four.

Katich then went to three figures with a mis-timed hook off Jerome Taylor, before the partnership ended when Fidel Edwards had him caught behind.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was dropped on 18 by Edwards off Benn, but he only added another 21 before he was caught at mid-wicket off Daren Powell.

West Indies struck again before the close of play when Hussey, who had made 18, was caught at leg-slip off Benn, who toiled away for 1-107 from his 36 overs.

But there was bad news for them when Sewnarine Chattergoon twisted his ankle and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.

He later returned to the ground on crutches, and it is doubtful whether he will be able to bat in the second innings.

Australia lead the three-Test series after they won the opening Test at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston by 95 runs.

Australia batsman Phil Jaques: "We both went about it trying to set up the rest of our order like we would for New South Wales.

"The comforting fact is that we have spent a lot of time at the crease together in the past few years in big partnerships, so opening the innings does not seem much different.

"We were both disappointed in the first innings, and we both got set and got out in similar fashion.

"From my point of view, I was keen to make amends. We had spoken about trying to keep working in tandem and keep the momentum going. It happened and it was nice to get a partnership. It takes the pressure off you individually when that happens."

Opening partner Simon Katich: "It was definitely a different approach from both of us with regards to the short-pitched bowling.

"We thought that was the biggest way that we were going to get out on this wicket, particularly when the ball is starting to get a bit older and a bit more variable.

"We decided just to get in behind it or sway out of the way, rather than playing the big hook shots."