Australia were outplayed on the final day of the Adelaide Test against West Indies but did enough to earn a draw against Chris Gayle’s improving side.

After Gayle became only the fourth West Indian to carry his bat in compiling 165, West Indies, all out for 317, set the Aussies 330 to win in 81 overs.

When Australia lost their fifth wicket not long after tea, the Windies were the only team with a chance to win.

But Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin rode their luck as they ended on 212-5.

Dwayne Bravo and Kemar Roach bowled with plenty of skill on a wicket that continued to provide scant assistance for the bowlers. But Clarke and Haddin, with fielders crowding the bat, survived a number of dicey moments to frustrate the Windies.

The two right-handers gradually grew in confidence, Clarke making 61 and Haddin 21 as they batted out just over 20 overs before Gayle offered a draw, leaving the series at 1-0 in the hosts’ favour, with only one more Test to come.

However, West Indies, roundly vilified in the Australian media after a timid performance in Brisbane, had embarrassed those pundits with a thoroughly professional performance.

The day began with Gayle unbeaten on 155 and pondering a declaration as his team led by 296 on 284-8.

As it happened, the last two West Indies batsmen were dismissed inside seven overs, Mitchell Johnson snaring one more victim to finish with 5-103 and a very creditable 8-208 in the match.

Man-of-the-match Gayle had joined an illustrious list of West Indies greats, including Frank Worrell, Conrad Hunte and Dessie Haynes, in carrying his bat in a Test innings.

Chasing their first Test win in Australia since 1997, West Indies picked up their first wicket early on.

Simon Katich’s cover-drive off Bravo was hit firmly but too close to 19-year-old Adrian Barath, who sprang to his left to complete a fine catch.

Soon after lunch, Ponting, who probably needed to play the key innings if Australia were to chase down a tough target, attempted to force Ravi Rampaul through the off-side but chopped on to his stumps.

With Australia batting for survival, they lost their third wicket before tea, thanks to a typically brilliant catch by Bravo at midwicket to end Shane Watson’s involvement on 48 as he top-edged a pull off Darren Sammy.

Watson, who faced 130 deliveries having finished four short of a century in the first innings, gave further evidence that he can be a long-term choice as opener.

It was the segment of play immediately after tea – in which Bravo picked up two more wickets – that gave West Indies the greatest hope.

Michael Hussey played uncertainly forward and inside-edged to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin before Marcus North drove a catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan first slip.

West Indies went for all-out attack and Haddin had plenty of problems early on against Bravo and Roach, whose energy levels were brilliant.

Clarke was also beaten on a few occasions as the luck went against the touring side but the right-hander showed his class to shake off those indiscretions. With the pressure finally released, he cashed in to hit three straight boundaries off the spinner Sulieman Benn to reach his half-century.

After an exploratory over from Barath, Gayle finally pulled the plug five overs early.

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