West Indies have a chance of avoiding a 3-0 Test series defeat to Australia after rain intervals cut short day two of the third Test in Sydney.

The tourists began the day on 207 runs with four wickets remaining in their first innings, but rain delayed the start of play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

That would be the theme of the day as persistent rain broke up the day's activity on the field, restricting the game to just 11.4 overs across two sessions before umpires called an early end to the day.

Despite the stop-start nature of the game in Sydney, Australia were able to take their seventh wicket of the innings, and it turned out to be a significant one as Nathan Lyon dismissed Kraigg Braithwaite for 85.

The West Indies opener, who faced 174 deliveries, ended his spell at the crease 15 runs short of a century when he was caught out by Steven Smith.

With rain forecast for day four, a draw is highly likely for a West Indies side who have Denesh Ramdin unbeaten on 30 and Kemar Roach at the crease.