Key batsman Darren Bravo
He arrived in Australia as the sole West Indies batsman thought capable of consistently resisting Australia's bowlers. In the first innings in Hobart and Melbourne he has lived up to those claims. Bravo's innings was not as pretty as what he produced at Blundstone Arena in the series opener, yet it was arguably of more significance as it extended the West Indies' innings long enough that Australia captain Steve Smith was unwilling to enforce the follow-on. That Bravo again took on the lead batting role strengthened the notion that after a couple of years of stalling the 26-year-old's career is back on track. 
Key bowler Nathan Lyon
The conspicuously healthy reception for Lyon from the MCG crowd, when he was brought into the attack in the ninth over of day three, despite not being a Victorian reflected how supporters' appreciation of him has grown. Of the five spells the off-spinner was used for in the first innings he delivered a wicket in all but one of them. On day three it was he who ended the stubborn 90-run partnership between Bravo and Brathwaite by removing the latter. The wicket, a one-handed return catch, showed not only Lyon's athleticism but also his good judgement, given he had already begun moving to his right in anticipation of Brathwaite attempting to drive him to deep mid-on.
Key moment
Carlos Brathwaite: The 27-year-old had cause to be very satisfied with his day's work. Excepting his reprieve on 13, when he was bowled by James Pattinson after an ugly swipe only to be saved by a retrospective no-ball call, the bowling all-rounder produced an impressive performance, including smashing off-spinner Nathan Lyon over his head into the sightscreen for six as part of his 59. The debutant, who bowled 30 wicketless overs in the first innings, got his first scalp in his third over of the second innings, having David Warner caught at gully. The towering Brathwaite demonstrated his delight at the feat with an exuberant slide along the MCG towards the catcher, his captain Jason Holder.
Key numbers
103: Deliveries faced by Darren Bravo before he scored his first boundary, such was his determination to prevent another batting collapse.
169: Runs scored by the West Indies since the first of James Pattinson's two wickets which were overturned, because he had overstepped. Carlos Brathwaite was the beneficiary on both occasions, first on 13 and then on 50. The former would, had it been a legal delivery, have left the visitors reeling at 7-102.
100.3: Overs bowled by Australia, just six fewer than they bowled for the entire match in Hobart.