He is due to appear in court in India later on Friday.

The arrest came after he allegedly misbehaved with a woman at an after-match party at a Delhi five-star hotel.

Reports suggested Pomersbach, who is in India playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the lucrative IPL, had invited himself for drinks with the couple and some common friends from Mumbai in the couple's room.

The woman went to bed, when Pomersbach allegedly followed her into her room.

When her fiancee intervened, Pomersbach allegedly beat him up which led to the man's admittance to hospital.

"A US national, staying at Hotel Maurya, was molested by Luke Pomersbach, an Australian player of RCB when they were partying in her room," an official statement from the Delhi Police said.

"When her fiance Sahil intervened he too was boxed by Luke.

"A case under Sections 354, 323, 454 and 511 IPC (Indian Penal Code) registered at PS Chanakya Puri."

The charges to relate to assualt, trespass and "assault or criminal force to (a) woman with intent to outrage her modesty".

The RCB franchise suspended Pomersbach pending inquiries.

"Pending disposal of this matter Luke Pomersbach will not take the field for The Royal Challengers Bangalore," the team said in a media release.

"The Royal Challengers Bangalore regrets the incident involving Luke Pommersbach. We will ensure full co-operation with the concerned authorities so that a fair investigation takes place and the issue is disposed off in accordance with law.".

It is the latest controversy to beset Pomersbach who has had his promising career blighted by off-field issues.

IPL chief Rajiv Shukla said they would wait to hear from the police.

"IPL is not responsible for a player's behaviour. There was no official party hosted by the IPL. It's the behaviour of an individual, let the police handle it," Shukla said.

"We will wait for the report from the police and then react."

Pomersbach was stood down by WA, and eventually cut loose, after more disciplinary issues last season.

Pomersbach's manager and former Australian one-day player Ryan Campbell revealed the one-time national Twenty20 player is battling depression.

The swashbuckling batsman confessed he had been battling depression for some time.

“Over the past month I have been battling personal issues which have greatly affected the commitment I have made as a member of the Warriors squad," Pomersbach said in a statement

“It would therefore be in the best interests for myself, my team mates and WA cricket as a whole to step down from the State squad and the Perth Scorchers’ BBL team to concentrate on my well-being.

“I thank the WACA for the support they have shown me, along with my family and friends that have helped me through these tough times and I hope to one day return to the elite level if the chance presents itself.”

Pomersbach was banned from his state squad for six months in 2009 after he smashed his four-wheel drive and evaded police in Perth’s beachside western suburbs.

State coach of the time and iconic WA cricketing figure Tom Moody declared at the time that the gifted batsman was “on his last chance” and faced the sack if he infringed against codes of conduct again.

Pomersbach has also had other suspensions from his state squad duties after missing a game for his WACA club side after attending the funeral of a close friend two seasons ago.

He was also suspended in late 2007 for an alcohol-related incident.

Pomersbach made a shock international Twenty/20 debut while serving late stages of that suspension in December 2007 when he was plucked from the WACA Ground crowd to replace Brad Hodge in the Australian team batting line-up after the Victorian veteran suffered a back spasm.

Pomersbach scored 15 from just seven balls in his bizarre and whirlwind arrival on the international stage against New Zealand, which prompted Indian Premier League outfit Punjab to recruit the dashing big hitter.

Pomersbach has played 30 first-class games for his home state as well as 33 one-day domestic matches and 35 Twenty/20 games over his rocky five years as an audacious potential talent.

Three years ago he won Australia’s prestigious Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award at the annual Allan Border Medal presentation function in Melbourne.

Back in January, Sri Lanka dumped Marsh and replaced him with South African Graham Ford as part of a major shake-up following the national team's poor run.

Marsh's sacking came after Tillakaratne Dilshan quit his captaincy and former skipper Mahela Jayawardene was brought in to lead the team for the upcoming triangular one-day series with India.

Marsh later said he had been baffled about why he was not allowed to plan Sri Lanka’s series against Australia last summer.

"I have not had a reason yet - we will see how that all pans out," Marsh said.

“I really enjoyed getting back into coaching, I thought I was coaching well at the time.

"You know that feeling at the time.

“The most important thing is getting the respect of the players, and I believe I had that in the first couple of months.

“I was looking forward to moving on.”

Johnson was the surprise inclusion in the touring squads which will take on England in one-day internationals and then longer form clashes for an Australia A next month.

His career had been on hold since tearing ligaments in his big left toe while batting in Australia's Test victory over South Africa in Johannesburg last November.

And while the WA-based left-armer has declared himself back in love with the game after a horror run of terrible form and suspect fitness, Arthur said he would have to earn his place in the side.

“Mitchell Johnson returns as well and we can't wait to have him back around the group. He may have to wait his turn though, as we are taking such a talented group of bowlers on the tour with us,” Arthur said.

Cummins has been sidelined since his stunning Test debut against South Africa late last year, with a worrying stress injury - commonly known as a "hot spot" – in his foot ruling the quick out of the Boxing Day Test and beyond.

Questions were then raised over Cummins being fast-tracked into Test cricket, after the NSW speedster revealed he had taken injections on debut in South Africa for what he thought was a soft-tissue injury.

Cummins' Test elevation after just three first-class games raised eyebrows, with former Test skipper Steve Waugh describing Cricket Australia's promotion of young bowlers as "ridiculous".

But Arthur said he was hugely excited about getting Cummins straight back into the team, and was already planning to unleash him on the English in next year’s Ashes clashes.

“The player I am most excited about though is Pat Cummins, we all saw what he could do in his one and only Test match and to have him back in the mix is fantastic,” Arthur wrote on the Cricket Australia website.

“He has the ability to become one of the best in the world. He and Patto will take a huge amount out of this tour, we hope they both will be firing this time next year when we go to England to claim The Ashes back and drawing on the experience of touring the UK before will certainly give them an edge.”

Arthur said despite some concerns over the top-order during the recent tour of the West Indies, the top six was now “settled” in his mind – with strength in depth his key development aim for the next 12 months.

“We would have liked more runs from all of them but conditions were tough and I think we saw enough growth in technique and temperament to be excited,” Arthur said.

“They are going to be challenged in our next Test series against South Africa and it is going to be interesting to see how they respond.

“One thing I know for sure, is that we need a very settled batting unit.

"Depth is important and I am really looking forward to seeing the performances of Klinger, Forrest, Cowan, Smith, Burns, Cooper, Paine and Davis on the Australia A Tour of England as well as Hughes and Khawaja in County cricket.”

But the 30-year-old has revealed he was already mentally shot by that point, with even a surprise visit from his wife Jessica Bratich Johnson in the lead up to that Test not enough to lift him out of the doldrums.

"Going into that Test in Joburg, I was unsure if I could perform to be honest. It was at that point where I really just wanted to get away from the game and step back from it," a candid Johnson said in Perth on Friday.

"The injury did come at the right time. I'd probably lost a bit of interest in playing the game.

"If I didn't get the injury, if I kept going, I could have got dropped and that could have been it.

"That (retirement) could have been on the cards for sure.

"I guess being away from the media helped a little bit, not copping it day in, day out. So that's been a bit of a relief."

Johnson is confident those dark days are now behind him, saying he feels mentally and physically stronger than at any previous point in his career.

The 47-Test veteran will have the chance to prove his worth in Australia's one-day tour of England in June-July, while selectors will also have an opportunity to assess the left-arm paceman when he fronts up for Australia A in four first-class matches from July.

Johnson is keen to continue in all three formats and said some recent sessions with his mentor Dennis Lillee had boosted his confidence.

"He went through an injury at a similar age and he came back and became a really smart bowler," Johnson said of the Australia Test legend.

"He still had that pace when he wanted to use it, with that short ball or whatever it was. But he became a really smart bowler, he used the conditions to his advantage and that's sort of where I'm heading at the moment.

"Hopefully I can play, with Twenty20 around now, for five to seven (more) years."

It will be a major blow as Australia have begun to formulate a formidable bowling unit, including teenage tearaway Pat Cummins, along with Mitch Starc, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson and possibly Mitchell Johnson.

Recent bowling successes have been largely credited to McDermott's style and substance as a coach.

“It has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team, a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago," McDermott said.

“However the team’s schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.

“It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success.

"The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of.

“While I have agreed to provide input through Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence, I am looking to continue my coaching career in a context that allows me further flexibility and will be looking to explore a range of options.

"I am certainly not ruling out being involved with the Australian cricket team in the future should that fit within the team’s requirements.

“For now though, I want to thank Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur for the opportunity and wish them and the team every success over a really exciting next 12 months of cricket.”

Head coach Mickey Arthur paid tribute to McDermott’s contribution.

“Craig has done outstanding job since taking over the role and without doubt will be very difficult to replace," Arthur said.

"As the Australian public and cricket world has seen, Craig has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed around the group.

“However we completely understand and respect Craig’s decision.

"The international schedule is a particularly busy one and family must always come first. We wish Craig the best and really hope he can be involved with the team at some point in the future."

Warner hit a variety of strokes in only his second game for Delhi, which lost Kevin Pietersen after he returned to England for the home series against West Indies.

Playing pace and spin with ease, the Australia left-hander smashed 20 off an over from pace bowler Ashish Reddy. He registered his second IPL century, after hitting 107 not out against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2010.

"It's a great feeling to be at the top of the points table and credit to the bowlers for the way they've bowled in this tournament," Warner said. "We knew that it (ball) was going to move around, and we tried to take that away from them by going after the bowling very early."

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan (84) and Cameron White (65) boosted Deccan's innings.

Dhawan clobbered five sixes and nine fours during his 49-ball knock, which included two consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.

Dhawan added 126 for the third wicket with White but was run out to a direct throw by Nadeem from the square-leg boundary when he took two runs.

White, who smashed two sixes and seven fours off 40 deliveries, followed a little later when he skied a lofted shot and wicketkeeper Naman Ojha took a fine catch running toward square-leg.

Delhi has nine wins and three losses from 12 games. Kolkata was second with eight wins, three losses and a no-result.

Deccan was last in the nine-team league with two wins, 10 losses and one no-result from 13 to be out of the playoff reckoning.

At Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan was restricted to 6-126 as Australian pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus produced an impressive spell of 2-8 in four overs which comprised the prize wickets of captain Rahul Dravid and allrounder Shane Watson.

Two-time defending champion Chennai failed to get a big contribution from any of its main batsmen and was tottering on 6-88 in the 17th over before South Africa allrounder Albie Morkel and Anirudh Srikkanth struck 18 apiece off six balls each, both scoring one six and two fours to lead the team home with 11 balls to spare.

Chennai moved up to fourth place with six wins, six losses and one no-result from 13 games. Rajasthan was sixth with a 6-7 record.

Australian selectors gave the green light to speedster Patrick Cummins to resume his burgeoning international career with a berth in the A-side.

Fellow NSW Blue Steve Smith has also been given the chance to resurrect his international career with a surprise call-up, while one of the finds of last season Peter Forrest has been left out of the main squad, as has spinner Nathan Lyon and Michael Beer.

Tim Paine's return to the A-squad is a welcome sight after his career was threatened with serious finger issues.

Neither Mitch or Shaun Marsh were included in either squad, while Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson were also nowhere to be seen.

Xavier Doherty is the only spinner who will go on the ODI tour which will be a key early plank of Australia’s plan to try and wrestle the Ashes back from Andrew Strauss’ world number one side.

And opener Ed Cowan’s rise through the ranks has been confirmed with his appointment as captain of the Australia A side who will also tour - taking charge of a squad which includes Forrest, Johnson and Mitchell Starc.

Brad Haddin does not feature as he battles his personal issues.

James Pattinson and Brett Lee will both put their aching bodies into action for five one-day matches starting on June 29, with an Australia A side scheduled for two three-day county matches and two four-day matches against England A in July and August

Cummins has not played competitively since injuring his foot during his stunning Test debut in South Africa where he was named man of the match after amazing figures of 6-79 in the second innings and hitting the winning runs.

“We will have to be at the top of our game to go to England and beat them on their home soil but we’ve selected a strong squad and believe we have the ability to win this one-day series," national selector John Inverarity said.

“Steve Smith has been rewarded for his late season form.

"He has come into strong contention for the Australian ICC World Twenty20 squad to be named in August and the NSP is keen to have him in the set-up in England as the reserve batsman, noting that his leg-spinners would provide good variation to our attack.

“Mitchell Johnson has also been included in this ODI squad. He, also, is in strong contention for the ICC World Twenty20 and needs to be in the set-up and have some quality competitive cricket leading into this.

"The NSP is looking forward to Mitchell being reinvigorated after being out of the game for six months.

“We are also excited about the return of Pat Cummins and we are looking to ease him back into the team.

"He will not be expected to play in all of the eight scheduled games.

“Peter Forrest, Mitchell Starc, Dan Christian, Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included in this squad.

"During the Australian summer and in the West Indies, Peter Forrest and Mitchell Starc were two young players who grasped their opportunities and acquitted themselves well and enhanced their reputations.

"However, they have made way in this squad for Steve Smith and Pat Cummins."

“In February and March, Dan Christian showed what a very useful and good all-rounder he is, making some strong contributions.

"He has been omitted to make way for Mitchell Johnson, but remains very much in our plans for the ICC World Twenty20 and a distinct possibility for the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan in August/September."

Australia ODI Squad
Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson (vc), George Bailey, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Australia A Squad
Ed Cowan (c), Peter Forrest (vc), George Bailey, Jackson Bird, Joe Burns, Tom Cooper, Patrick Cummins, Ben Cutting, Liam Davis, Jon Holland, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Nathan Lyon, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc

AUSTRALIA'S UPCOMING FIXTURES
Thursday Jun 21
10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
19:45 EST | 19:15 CST | 17:45 WST

Leicestershire v Australia
Grace Road, Leicester

Saturday Jun 23
10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
19:45 EST | 19:15 CST | 17:45 WST

Only ODI - Ireland v Australia
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast

Tuesday Jun 26
14:00 local | 13:00 GMT
23:00 EST | 22:30 CST | 21:00 WST

Essex v Australians
County Ground, Chelmsford

Friday Jun 29
10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
19:45 EST | 19:15 CST | 17:45 WST

1st ODI - England v Australia
Lord's, London

Sunday Jul 1
10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
19:45 EST | 19:15 CST | 17:45 WST

2nd ODI - England v Australia
Kennington Oval, London

Wednesday Jul 4
14:00 local | 13:00 GMT
23:00 EST | 22:30 CST | 21:00 WST

3rd ODI - England v Australia
Edgbaston, Birmingham

Saturday Jul 7
10:45 local | 09:45 GMT
19:45 EST | 19:15 CST | 17:45 WST

4th ODI - England v Australia
Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

Tuesday Jul 10
14:00 local | 13:00 GMT
23:00 EST | 22:30 CST | 21:00 WST

5th ODI - England v Australia
Old Trafford, Manchester

Friday Jul 27 - Sunday Jul 29
11:00 local | 10:00 GMT
20:00 EST | 19:30 CST | 18:00 WST

Derbyshire v Australia A
County Ground, Derby

Wednesday Aug 1 - Fri Aug 3
11:00 local | 10:00 GMT
20:00 EST | 19:30 CST | 18:00 WST

Durham v Australia A
Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

Tuesday Aug 7 - Friday Aug 10
11:00 local | 10:00 GMT
20:00 EST | 19:30 CST | 18:00 WST

1st unofficial Test - England Lions v Australia A
Old Trafford, Manchester

Tuesday Aug 14 - Friday Aug 17
11:00 local | 10:00 GMT
20:00 EST | 19:30 CST | 18:00 WST

2nd unofficial Test - England Lions v Australia A
Edgbaston, Birmingham

The 22-year-old arrived at Heathrow Airport at the weekend and was initially cleared to remain, but will not now make his Yorkshire debut against Gloucestershire on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia said the issue had nothing to do with them.

"Mitchell is on annual leave and decided to organise a short-term contract with Yorkshire. It has absolutely nothing to do with us," a spokesman told AFP.

"We have sent plenty of people to England and know all the requirements. Saying that, we have made it clear that if Mitchell needs our help, we are happy to do that."

While Cricket Australia have been blamed by some, Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves has also fingered Starc's agent for the "fiasco", according to the Guardian newspaper.

Starc was keen to play down the embarrassment as he prepared to fly out of Britain.

"Well round the world here we go... Off to aus now," he tweeted, apparently from Heathrow.

"Just to be clear guys, not cricket aus or Yorks fault. No one to blame, was some miscommunication from Australia.

"Common sense isnt so common these days!" he added.

Starc was due to begin an initial five-week deal to help offset the controversial departure of seamer Ajmal Shahzad, who joined county champions Lancashire, Yorkshire's arch cross-border rivals, on loan until the end of the season on Tuesday after being controversially released by Headingley officials last week.

The departure of the 26-year-old Shahzad, who has played one Test and 11 one-day internationals for England, was a shock as he had taken eight wickets in three first-class matches at an average of 26.25 for Yorkshire this season.

But Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves said Shahzad had to go after refusing to follow Gillespie's instructions.

"(Shahzad) wanted to have the opportunity to be his own man, bang it in when he wants to bang it in and bowl bouncers when he wants to bowl bouncers," Graves said.

"The captain, the coach and everybody else didn't want that situation, especially at this time of year where we've got seaming wickets and all the rest of it - it's disciplined bowling that counts."

Gillespie said it was a pity Starc would miss the Gloucestershire clash, but said he would be back, hopefully in time to face Hampshire next week.

Since then it has emerged that a problem with the paperwork provided by Cricket Australia has forced him to return home before coming back to England in time to face Hampshire next week.

Yorkshire had hoped a solution could be found with the Home Office in time to hand the 22-year-old left-armer a debut at Bristol but were left disappoined.

Starc wrote on his Twitter account: "Well that's a first! Being deported from England...surely nothing else can go wrong can it?!?!

"Visa issue. Incorrect communication from Aus. Will be straight back to UK ASAP once sorted. In time for next @Yorkshireccc game.

"The @Yorkshireccc have been brilliant to me...disappointed I won't get to play tomorrow but good luck to the lads!"

A Yorkshire spokesman told Press Association Sport: "There was an error with the initial paperwork which the club are trying to sort out.

"We hope to have it completed by this afternoon. If not it is unlikely Starc will be able to play tomorrow and may have to return back to Australia."

Starc was due to begin an initial five-week deal to help offset the departure of England quick Ajmal Shahzad, who was allowed to leave the club last week to join Lancashire on loan.

A Yorkshire statement read: "Following Mitchell Starc attending an appointment with the UK Border Agency this afternoon, he has been instructed to return to Australia in order to complete the necessary visa documentation. The problem was as a result of the incorrect advice given to him in Australia.

"The necessary paperwork from Yorkshire County Cricket Club is in order and accepted by the UK Border Agency but unfortunately is insufficient to allow Mitchell to fulfil the full visa requirement.

"We are hoping this matter can be resolved quickly in Australia and that he will return as soon as possible."

Each outfit looks set to play four home games as well as four away.

The finals play-offs will be a series of first and second semi-finals, a preliminary final and grand final.

The opening round of finals will be first against second with the winner heading straight to a home grand final, with the winner of the first semi-final taking on the loser of the top-two finishing teams’ play-off.

Winner of the preliminary final goes into the grand final and also qualifies for the rich Champions League tournament in India next October.

Australian cricket authorities are considering a radical Shield competition to maintain its deeply established traditions while attempting to accommodate the rapid expansion of the highly popular Twenty-20 format.

New South Wales cricketers from the inaugural Big Bash League champions Sydney Sixers and Western Australia’s players from the Perth Scorchers are scheduled to play in the rich Champions League in India in October.

To allow for such a crowded and complicated start to the new Australian domestic season the nation’s top cricket authorities are expected to confirm changes to timing of Shield games for next summer.

Haddin, 34, has not played international cricket since he left the Australian squad and rushed home from the West Indies for personal reasons in mid-March.

The 43-time Test wicketkeeper-batsman could now make a return with his home state to start the new Australian season in time to stake a claim for recall to the national team ahead of Test series next summer against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Haddin's place behind the stumps in Test and limited-over outings has been successfully taken by Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade.

The 37-year-old was axed from Australia's one-day squad earlier this year, leaving him with just Test cricket on his international calendar.

But Arthur says he has no concerns about Ponting losing his touch with the bat, and is backing the former skipper to play a key role in Australia's quest to regain the Ashes.

"I know there was a lot of media pressure and talk around Ricky, but Ricky's not going anywhere," Arthur said after arriving back in Perth following Australia's 2-0 Test series win against the West Indies.

"We hope Ricky's scoring enough runs to go to the Ashes in England.

"Ricky is definitely no way considering retiring, I wouldn't have thought from my conversations with him, and he'll be fit and ready to go against South Africa."

Ponting, like most of Australia's batting line-up, struggled on the Windies tour.

The 165-Test veteran posted just 146 runs over three Tests at an average of 24.33, but Arthur said the tough conditions and some unlucky circumstances played a significant role in Ponting's lean return.

Despite the 30-year-old not being considered for the recent West Indies tour, he had been hopeful he might be able to make his comeback in the IPL.

Subsequently, Johnson was picked up by Mumbai for the hefty price of $300,000 - but a team spokesman has now said the WA-man will not be available as the toe injury is still healing.

Johnson now faces a race in time to take up his commitment to Durham as their second overseas player for the 2012 Friends Life t20 competition.

He is then hoping to be fit for Australia's limited-overs tour of England that begins in mid-June.

The left-arm quick was struggling with the ball and under significant pressure to hold his place in the Test team anyway before he was struck down with injury, but had said he is still determined to come back with a point to prove.

"I'm definitely confident in my ability. I'm only 30 years of age, I've got five or six years left in me so that's my goal," said Johnson on Fox Sports.

"Whether I get back straight away or not we'll have to find out but I'll be working as hard as I can.

"(The IPL) wouldn't be a bad way to get back into it, four over spells, short and sharp.

"If not I'm happy to start back into grade cricket or back into State cricket."

Johnson, who made his Test debut in November 2007 against Sri Lanka, has played 47 matches and sits on the cusp of 200 wickets with 190 scalps to date.

In that time Clarke has overseen series wins away from home against Sri Lanka and the West Indies, shared a series on the road with the highly-rated South Africans and crushed India 4-0 during the domestic summer.

Only December's loss to New Zealand in Hobart, which earned the Kiwis a 1-1 series result, can be seen as a stumble in Clarke's captaincy run.

That defeat though appears to be a turning point for Clarke's team, which is yet to give up a series and has climbed from fifth in the world Test rankings after the 2010-11 Ashes humiliation to third.

Since Hobart, Clarke's men have won six of seven Tests with only the rain-marred draw against the Windies in Trinidad preventing a clean sweep.

But the man himself believes it was the darkest moment of his captaincy - being dismissed for a mere 47 against South Africa in Cape Town - which really taught him and his teammates a valuable lesson.

"Hobart was disappointing, to lose that game, but I think sometimes you need to see both sides," Clarke said.

"You need to experience both sides of the coin.

"Cape Town showed us how quickly things can change for the worse and then to be able to pull off a win in Jo'burg, and we're talking about a very strong Test cricket team in their own backyard, to be able to level that series was a great learning curve for us.

"We probably saw a little of that again against New Zealand.

"There are highs and lows in this game and you're going to experience both, whether you like it or not individually as a player.

"That gave us the opportunity as a team to see that it doesn't matter what opposition you play against, if you're not at your best, you're going to get beaten.

"We continue to learn, especially, from those two games, from Cape Town and Hobart."

Clarke's biggest challenge is still over 12 months away, trying to win back and then defend the Ashes with successive campaigns against England in 2013.

But it was a challenge he refused to discuss before leaving the Caribbean, focusing instead on his team's bid to climb back to the top of the world rankings.

"It's not just about one series or one summer," Clarke said.

"It's about consistency over a period of time that gets you to the No.1 team in the world.

"We want to continue to win as many games of cricket as we can. If we look after that you'll see the Australian team will continue to go up the rankings."
 

Sammy belted his runs off just 51 balls, putting on 49 with hometown hero Shane Shillingford (31no) before Nathan Lyon dismissed the captain to finally extinguish the Windies' fight and dismiss them for 294 in their second innings.

That wicket was one of three for off-spinner Lyon on the final morning, while Michael Clarke picked up the other two scalps to claim the second five-wicket haul of his Test career after his 6-9 against India in Mohali in 2004.

"It's been a wonderful series, a really hard-fought series from both teams and I hope West Indies get a lot of credit for the way they played," said Clarke, who ended with 5-86.

"Yes the result says 2-0 but I can guarantee you every part of this Test series has been fought hard, played in the right spirit and I think it's been great for Test cricket so they deserve a lot of credit."

Sammy, adamant his team could have pulled off the improbable run chase, was left to rue the second morning of the Test where Matthew Wade batted with Australia's tail to push the tourists' first innings to 328.

Wade added 159 runs with Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus in what turned out to be the pivotal point of the match after Australia were 7-169 late on the first day.

The 24-year-old ended up with 106, his first Test hundred, and was awarded the man-of-the-match prize for his efforts.

"We're quite disappointed," Sammy said.

"We believed we could have beaten them. They won the key moments in the Test series and that was the difference."

But it appears Wade shouldn't give up hope of winning a selection battle with Haddin, particularly after his maiden Test hundred during this week's clash with the West Indies in Dominica.

"Wadey stood up brilliantly and I'm just so happy because it's creating depth for us in so many positions," coach and selector Mickey Arthur said.

"There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before our next Test match against South Africa at the Gabba. That situation will unfold.

"Wadey will be in England with us in the one-day squad. He'll be in Sri Lanka against Pakistan with us and he'll be in the Twenty20 World Cup.

"So he's going to have ample opportunity to really shine and really show us what he's got and I think Hadds will probably have two Shield games before we have to go out and pick the team for that first Test.

"For us to comment now is probably too early. I just think that will all unfold in the wash."

While Arthur doesn't yet know how the wicketkeeping position debate will play out, what he is certain of is how the team have developed through a Caribbean tour against a resilient and competitive Windies outfit.

The South African believes those members of the side who haven't toured overseas before such as Wade, openers Ed Cowan and David Warner or pace bowler Mitchell Starc can only benefit from the lessons they've learnt while away from home.

"I look at Matty Wade and how his batting has developed over the last six weeks. It's been amazing," Arthur said.

"He's nowhere near the player that arrived in St Vincent.

"To see him embrace a slight change to his technique and embrace what we were trying to get through to him in terms of playing in these conditions ... to see him ultimately succeed is really nice.

"Ed Cowan has been exactly the same. Those guys hadn't come up against spin bowling in these conditions before and they've come through brilliantly."
 

The left-arm spinner, who has already won Tests in Mohali and at the SCG with his part-time bowling, successfully referred an LBW call against Chanderpaul to end his vigil on 69 and leave the Windies 5-173 chasing an unlikely 370 for victory at Windsor Park.

The wicket cam after Chanderpaul had once again defied the Australians, passing 50 for the fourth time in five innings in this series, as he shared a 110-run fourth-wicket stand with Darren Bravo (45).

But Clarke's late strike means Australia will need to pick up five wickets on the final day safe in the knowledge they won't be bowling again to the 37-year-old left-hander, who became the 10th cricketer to pass 10,000 Test runs during his knock.

"Michael tends to have a little bit of a golden arm," coach Mickey Arthur said.

"He rocks up, he does a little bit of work and gets it done.

"He got the job done again today - big-match temperament, I suppose."

Clarke ended the day with 3-34 from 12.1 overs, a vital contribution after Nathan Lyon (0-46) failed to find a way through.

Shane Watson (1-20) had earlier snared the wicket of Bravo to end a partnership that lasted over two hours following Clarke's dismissals of Kraigg Brathwaite (14) and Kieran Powell (24) which left the hosts reeling at 3-45.

Ben Hilfenhaus (1-14) was the other wicket-taker, removing opener Adrian Barath for a duck before lunch when Ed Cowan plucked a superb diving catch at square leg.

Earlier, Shane Shillingford became the first Windies spinner in 46 years to take 10 wickets in a Test as Australia were dismissed for 259 in their second innings.

Shillingford picked up the scalps of Michael Hussey (32) and Hilfenhaus (six) to finish with 4-100 and complete a fine first Test in front of his home crowd.

Narsingh Deonarine (3-45) and Kemar Roach (3-40) were the other wicket-takers with Roach finishing with 19 wickets at 19.73 in the three-Test series.

Friday's play begins at 10am (2400 AEST).

Opener Ed Cowan and veteran Ricky Ponting were the mainstays of Australia's lead, both scoring half-centuries to build on the 110-run advantage gained when the Windies were bowled out for 218 in the morning session.

Cowan battled a painful wrist which was still sore from a blow when fielding in close on day two, passing 50 for the first time in the series before falling for 55.

His wicket created a mini collapse as Ponting (57), Michael Clarke (25) and Matthew Wade (4) all fell in the final session but by then Australia's lead was already substantial.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach has two wickets, including the scalp of Ponting whose luckless run in the Caribbean continued.

The 37-year-old was caught after the ball deflected off his bat as he ducked a Roach short ball which failed to get up as high as expected.

Spinners Narsingh Deonarine (2-28) and Shane Shillingford (2-69) showed just how tough any run chase will be for the Windies, extracting plenty of turn and bounce late in the day.

"I think we're in control, definitely," Cowan said.

"I think 300 already is a big score.

"The first two hours have been decent batting conditions and then throughout the day we've seen the last two hours have been an absolute dustbowl.

"If we can get to lunch unscathed and maybe 350, 360 if we play well, all of a sudden I think that's a winning total."

Earlier in the day veteran Windies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 68 and added 53 runs in the morning session with tail-enders Ravi Rampaul (31) and Roach (9no) to lift the hosts' total to 218.

Deonarine said similar fighting qualities will be needed if the Windies are to force the series-levelling win that now looks unlikely to happen.

"First we have to get the four wickets as quickly as possible and then just go for it," the allrounder said.

"About 350 would be nice."

Play resumes on Thursday at 10am (2400 AEST).
 

In an innings that might spell the end of 34-year-old Haddin's Test career, Wade eclipsed selector and former keeper Rod Marsh's maiden century age mark set as a 25-year-old in 1975 - with Marsh watching on from the stands.

Clarke said before the third Test that absent Haddin remains his No.1 choice as wicketkeeper despite Wade's solid performances in the first two games in the Caribbean.

Wade insists those words had no effect on his century performance but it will give Clarke, Marsh and fellow selectors much extra food for thought in the long interval before Australia's next Test assignment against South Africa in the home summer.

"No one's comments are going to make me try any harder to play Test cricket," Wade said. "It didn't play a factor at all.

"My mindset definitely hasn't changed. There's a lot of one-day and T20 cricket in between, a lot of water under the bridge before the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba.

"I'll do my job and see how it goes.

"Pup said that Hadds is No.1 in Test cricket and that sits fine with me. I'm happy to fill the void for a while and go and play some one-day cricket."

Wade came in with the side struggling and marshalled tail-enders Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus to lift Australia from 7-169 to 328 on day two on Tuesday. The Windies resume on day three at 8-165, still trailing by 163 runs.

But the most impressive factor was the way Wade changed through the gears in his innings, recovering from a near miss when he was dropped by Windies quick Kemar Roach on 22 to go from 50 to 100 in just 32 balls.

On the way, he hit three sixes, spending just one ball in the 80s as he hit back-to-back maximums, before creaming his 10th boundary of the innings to bring up his 100.

"I don't think I had any doubt I could play Test cricket," he said.

"It's been a massive tour for me. I've learned so much from the first game we played, the one-dayers where the conditions were just so different from what I'm used to.

"I felt I was good enough to play at this level if I could just get things to go right for me.

"It was about improving the little things. The conditions were a massive thing ... halfway through the one-day series, I decided I'd use the sweep a lot more and I've brought that with me into the Tests.

"It's going to be a massive shot for me going forward in subcontinent conditions."

Another wicketless innings loomed in the second Test in Trinidad before Lyon burst into life with a five-wicket spell in nine overs that rocked the West Indies.

And on Monday in Dominica, Lyon showed how quickly he'd adapted to Caribbean pitches as he took 3-49 on day two of the Third Test to leave the Windies struggling in their reply to Australia's 328.

Lyon's mental strength and ability to adapt have been hallmarks of his 13-Test career, which has yielded 38 wickets at an average just under 28.

"He's got better and better," wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said.

"His line has been outstanding. In the last two games, he bowled really well.

"He was disappointed up until he got those five wickets in a spell. He'd had a pretty lean run of it for a while.

"I thought he'd bowled pretty well but he hadn't got many wickets.

"Cricket's a funny game. You get a spell where you get five wickets and everything turns around."

The Windies too are impressed, with assistant coach Toby Radford praising how well Lyon had bowled so far in the series.

"He's got the pace right and he's bowled the right line," Radford said.

"We've had a lot of left-handers and he's angling the ball in and turning it sharply. It has been hard work and, even for the right-handers, he's turning it and getting bat-pads."

Resuming alongside Mitchell Starc with the score 7-212, Wade survived being dropped on 22 to add 116 runs with Starc (35) and Ben Hilfenhaus (19) as Australia's tail wagged for the third time in as many matches this series.

The 24-year-old, who eclipsed Rod Marsh as the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for Australia, raced to the milestone.

With current selector Marsh watching in the stands, Wade took just 32 deliveries to race from 50 to 100, bringing up his ton with the 10th boundary an innings which also including three sixes.

"That's generally the way I play," Wade said.

"I know that if I can get myself in for long enough that I can make it up towards the end if I'm batting with the tail.

"Maybe not make it up like I did today but that's generally my game plan. I'm not too worried about scoreboard pressure as such.

"I try and and build an innings and try and catch up at the back end."

Wade eventually fell just before lunch as Windies spinner Shane Shillingford claimed the last two wickets to finish with career-best figures of 6-119.

But the Victorian's innings set the platform for Australia's bowlers with Nathan Lyon leading the way with 3-49 as the Windies slumped to be 8-120 and in danger of facing a follow-on.

Veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul (34no) finally found a willing partner though in No.10 Ravi Rampaul (24no), the pair adding an unbroken 45 runs to take the hosts through to stumps.

Australia opener Ed Cowan, who took three catches and ran out Windies skipper Darren Sammy, ended the day with an ice-pack on his arm after suffering a blow to his wrist when fielding in close and will be monitored overnight.

Windies assistant coach Toby Radford said he was hopeful Chanderpaul and Rampaul could provide a similar counter-attack to Australia's efforts on day three.

"We have got to come with that positive mindset and belief," Radford said.

"Shiv has been fantastic in every match and has been like a brick wall for us, he barely plays a bad shot.

"If Ravi can stick in and keep doing what he's done and hitting those boundaries we can still cut that lead."

Play resumes at 10am on Wednesday (2400 AEST).