West Indies prevented Australia taking a first innings lead for the first time in the series courtesy of a flamboyant knock from Lara, who hit 12 fours and a six and was involved in a heated exchange with his opposite Steve Waugh.

But Langer and Hayden replied by hitting an unbeaten 80 and 79 respectively as Australia sped to 171 without loss in only 39 overs by the close to continue their quest for an unprecedented Caribbean whitewash.

Langer made steady progress to reach the 40s before hitting consecutive fours off Omari Banks followed by a six in the off-spinner's next over to reach his half century in 68 balls.

Langer then survived appeals in successive overs from Banks and Vasbert Drakes while Hayden had a let-off on 47 when he edged Banks to Lara at first slip but the West Indies captain dropped the ball.

Hayden then completed his 50 off the next ball with a four, then hit a four and huge six over mid-wicket in consecutive Banks deliveries.

Earlier, Lara's cavalier style was ultimately his downfall as he threw away his wicket by driving Andy Bichel's delivery straight into the hands of Langer at mid-off, having hit the previous three balls for four.

Lara signalled his intentions early with a six over point off Brett Lee to get off the mark before he cut two successive Jason Gillespie balls to the third man boundary for four.

NEAR COLLAPSE

Despite Lara's efforts, West Indies were struggling at 140 for six after Brett Lee removed Devon Smith (37) and Vasbert Drakes (21) while Bichel took the valuable wicket of Ramnaresh Sarwan (24) and Glenn McGrath dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul (one) in the morning session.

Lara, having hit 40 off 49 balls before lunch, needed another 24 deliveries to reach his 50 as he attempted to shore up the innings after the interval.

Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs then hit McGrath for two boundaries in the same over, before Lara completed his half century of the match by flicking McGrath to fine leg for four.

Their 45-run seventh-wicket partnership ended when Jacobs hit a Lee delivery back to the bowler, who hit the stumps and caught him out of his ground before Lara was dismissed.

Lara's dismissal left West Indies on 197 for eight but a rapid 14 off eight balls from Jermaine Lawson, who took 7-78 in Australia's first innings, helped them level the scores.

Lawson became Stuart MacGill's only victim when he was caught by Martin Love while Mervyn Dillon was bowled by Lee.