ST JOHN’S, Antigua, May 9: Fast bowler Jermaine Lawson captured Australia’s first three wickets as West Indies, facing an unprecedented home series whitewash, took the initiative in the fourth and final Test on Friday.

Australia were 175 for four at tea on the first day after Lawson, who took a split hat-trick in the third test, dismissed openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer before lunch and Darren Lehmann shortly after the interval.

Off-spinner Omari Banks then bowled Martin Love, who replaced the flu-stricken Ricky Ponting, for 36 as the home side seized the advantage.

Some fielding slip-ups, which have already cost West Indies in the series, saved Australia from even worse trouble.

Australia, who batted first in the previous two tests and compiled match-winning scores each time, made a quick start as Langer hit two fours in Mervyn Dillon’s second over.

But West Indies, 3-0 down in the series, made an important breakthrough when Hayden miscued an attempted pull at Lawson and Vasbert Drakes took an easy catch at mid-on to reduce Australia to 27 for one.

West Indies should have dismissed Langer for 14 three overs later but second slip Chris Gayle dropped an easy chance off Dillon. Langer went on to make 42 before he deflected a Lawson delivery to gully where Banks took a low catch.

Lehmann followed after lunch when he edged Lawson to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs — returning to action after missing the last two Tests through injury — for seven.

Captain Steve Waugh suffered some uncomfortable moments against Lawson and also escaped when he got an inside edge to Banks but the ball raced to the boundary for four.

Love escaped twice in successive Banks overs, being dropped by Chanderpaul both times, but was out two balls after the second when he deflected the ball on to the stumps.

Scoreboard

Australia first innings

J.Langer c Banks b Lawson 42

M.Hayden c Drakes b Lawson 14

M.Love b Banks 36

D.Lehmann c Jacobs b Lawson 7

S.Waugh not out 41

A.Gilchrist not out 28

Extras (lb-2 w-2 nb-3) 7

Total (for four wickets, 53 overs) 175

Fall of wickets: 1-27 2-80 3-93 4-128

To bat: A.Bichel, B.Lee, J.Gillespie, G.McGrath, S.MacGill

Bowling (to date): Dillon 12-0-41-0 (2nb), Lawson 16-2-63-3 (2w), Drakes 15-2-42-0 (1nb), Banks 10-0-27-1

West Indies: C.Gayle, D.Smith, D.Ganga, B.Lara, R.Sarwan, S.Chanderpaul, R.Jacobs, O.Banks, V.Drakes, M.Dillon, J.Lawson.—Reuters