Australia v West Indies Boxing Day Test 2015: Marsh and Lyon prevent Test from dragging into final day

Australia v West Indies Boxing Day Test 2015: Marsh and Lyon prevent Test from dragging into final day

The West Indies lost the Test but gained some respect, while Australia have Nathan Lyon and Mitch Marsh to thank for sparing them from needing to return to the MCG on day five to win the Boxing Day Test and seal a series victory.

Off-spinner Lyon and all-rounder Marsh were responsible for all but three of the West Indies second-innings wickets to fall on day four. The last three came in what were scheduled to be the final four overs of the day.

"The bowlers don't mean to overstep the mark. It's been a pretty big issue for us this game. We obviously had to take 23 wickets rather than 20 on a wicket that was quite hard to take wickets on," Smith said.

While it may be tempting to take the wicketless match from Hazlewood as evidence the 24-year-old needs to rest, a better solution would be to allow him to play in Sydney - less because it is at his home venue than it would help him learn how to respond from an underwhelming performance. The one-day series that follows would be a better window for rest.

Given the extent to which Australia dominated the first half of the Test, when a three-day match seemed possible, Smith lamented that the visitors got so close to forcing the match into a fifth day.

"We probably let ourselves down a little bit, obviously with the ... no-balls. [Needing to be] taking an extra three wickets probably takes a bit of time out of the game," he said.

Even though the bowlers lacked penetration, Smith was otherwise happy with Australia's effort in the field.

"I thought our energy, intent and all that in the field was probably as good as it's been this summer," he said.