Australia thrash England to level series

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 3rd Test - Waca, Perth - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

After just under an hour's play on day four, Ryan Harris took the stump and honours of this match with his best record of six wickets for only 47 runs this innings, nine in the match, same as Mitchell Johnson (6-38 + 3-44), who missed out on the chance of taking ten in the match.
England have fallen and failed hard with the bat in this match, no batsman really turning up or making a match of it, 187 and 123 all out. Australia won emphatically by 267 runs to level the series 1-1 with two matches left and regaining a lot of confidence. Next is Christmas, then the fourth Test kicks off on Boxing Day in Melbourne, the contest back on.

Australia v England third Test fourth day as it happened

- Michael Clarke is debutising for Australia this morning, as skipper Ricky Ponting is out with a fracture on his left hand (little fingers) which he got with the last ball of the day yesterday, with Paul Collingwood's wicket, the ball deflecting/bouncing off his hand and to the wicket keeper. England need a miracle on 81-5, 310 behind, with nightwatchman James Anderson at the crease, Ian Bell joining him.

- Mitchell Johnson kicks off day four for Australia, 5 runs from the over, 85-5.

- New man Ian Bell faces Ryan Harris at the other end, off the mark with a boundary, England cruising 89-5, ha, Anderson on 3, Bell on 4. Australia need 5 wickets to win, England need 302 runs.

- 89-3 after 3 overs on the day, 30 of the innings, runrate just under 3.

- Harris appeals for lbw against Bell, looks way too high, the ball nipping the top of the batsman's pad, not even worth contemplating. Bell hits a boundary off the next ball. Single. WICKET, Anderson is bowled for 3 for 14, England 94-6, the nightwatchman gone, Matt Prior on, joins Bell who is on 9 off 10, a record partnership needed for England. 94-6 at the end of that over.

- A maiden over by Johnson v Bell.

- New man Prior faces Harris at the other end. A six sees England pass 100, cheeky one behind him by Prior. 10 off the over in total, England 104-6.

- Third boundary of the morning for Bell, England 111-6. 30 runs off 7 overs this morning and one wicket.

- Bell given out lbw 16 off 23 to a full straight delivery, gambles on a review, DEAD OUT, the ball would have knocked out the middle stump, Harris has struck again, career best figures for him with 4 wickets for 41 wickets, England 111-7. Graeme Swann is on and off the mark straight away. And Harris gets his maiden Test FIVE-WICKET-HAUL, Prior caught at gully, out for 10, England 114-8 and collapsing. Chris Tremlett on. Figures of 10-1-44-5 for Harris. England finish the over 114-8, trailing by 277.

- Swann swings the ball over the keeper. OUT next ball for 9 off 5, beaten by a short ball, inside edge onto the stumps, England 120-9. Johnson needs one more wicket to reach 10 in the match. Australia need one more to win. Steven Finn on. 120-9 at the end of the over. The card makes sorry reading for England, Jonathan Trott top scorer with 31.

- Harris finishes England off, Finn caught at slip, OUT for 2 off 7, England 123 all out, Australia win by 267 runs and level the series 1-1 with two matches left and regaining a lot of confidence. After just under an hour's play on day four, Harris takes the stump and honours of this match with his best record of six wickets this innings, nine in the match, same as Johnson who missed out on the chance of taking ten in the match. England have fallen and failed hard with the bat in this match. Next is Christmas, then the fourth Test kicks off on Boxing Day in Melbourne, the contest back on.

Australia poised to thrash England

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 3rd Test - Waca, Perth - Day 3

My picks of the third day:

Mike Hussey's 13th Test century and Shane Watson's 95 lifted Australia to 309 all out, giving England a target of 391 to win and putting a shadow over Chris Tremlett's first five-wicket haul. But man of the moment Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris took two wickets each late on in the day, crashing and bashing England to 81-5, still 310 behind, at the end of day three. Australia are back on track and look poised to thrash England to make it 1-1 and the contest evenly poised heading to Christmas and the fourth Test starting Boxing Day in Melbourne.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 211-4, 292 ahead, at lunch: Australia's morning, Hussey on 69 off 86, England with chances and semi-chances, but after only taking one wicket this morning, the guests are left needing to work hard to get in there and break Australia.

2nd session, Australia 297-8, 378 ahead, at tea: Australia continue building a strong lead, looking strong and comfortable despite losing four wickets this session, Hussey still the main man on 111 and has now more than 500 runs this series and is keeping on scoring, as long as there are partners left for him.

3rd session, Australia 309 all out, 390 ahead, England 81-5, 309 behind, at the end of day three: Australia looking poised to win this match and make the series all evens after three matches at 1-1 tomorrow. England were all over the place, throwing five wickets away, Collingwood caught out by Smith off Harris with the last ball of the day to put the icing on the Aussie's cake.

Partnerships: The 113-partnership between Hussey and Watson frustrated England through the morning session. Eventually Watson was caught out lbw by Tremlett, but that was when Hussey just got started. He held through till the end, being the last wicket to fall, out for 116 off 172, caught at deep square leg by Graeme Swann off Tremlett after Australia scored 82 runs in the morning and 86 in the afternoon, keeping a healthy run rate even when and after the wickets fell, giving England a target of 391 to chase to win.
If openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook would have held through the 20ish overs till the end of the day, England would have been in it with a shout on day four, but instead England crumbled devastatingly to 81-5, Paul Collingwood falling off the last ball, caught at third slip by Steven Smith off Harris, not happy he was at the crease as James Anderson was at the other end watching rather than doing his job as the nightwatchman. Dire scorecard reading for England, dire forecast and likely outcome for them on day four.

Bowling: Tremlett's five-wicket haul got lost and forgotten under all the Australian runs and Johnson's and Harris' descruction of England. England didn't bowl bad, although Swann was quickly layed off after he conceded 51 off only 9 overs, the Aussies all after him. I think it was more a case of Australia being pre-warned and more cautious after the first innings and coming into the second innings better prepared and more confident after destroying England 187 all out on day two. Australia's bowling at the end of the day on the other hand, was not destructive-perfect, it was more England's confidence that left them and their rationality and professionalism with it, giving their wickets away rather than staying put. No discrediting Johnson, who has had a fantastic comeback in this match, but it is the difference in pitch and England's fallen ego and confidence that went all for him and Australia in this match. Melbourne will be a cracker to see who can and will take advantage there.

Ups: And it is certainly a competition again! Australia had their doubters, me included, but Johnson and co certainly turned that around. At least that will make the last two matches over Christmas and New Year that more crunchy, topsy, turvy, juicy.

Downs: England can't throw the whole series away like this can they? After all the shine and confidence of the first two Tests, this will hopefully have woken them back up to reality that it is never easy to beat the Aussies, but not impossible either! So, come on, hopefully they will turn it on, up and around again in the fourth Test!

Hero to zero: From double century record scorer to a giveaway clown. Kevin Pietersen took a new bat and gave away a needless wicket going after a wide ball and serving an easy catch to Shane Watson at slip off Ben Hilfenhaus. KP will want to forget this match very quickly after scores of 0 and 3...

Australia v England third Test third day as it happened

1st session:

- Mitchell Magic Johnson is the man of the moment and in the headlines getting 6 of the 13 wickets we saw yesterday at the Waca, destroying England. The England bowlers will have to step up in similar fashion on the third day of the third Test if they want to stay in this match with a shout.

- Chris Tremlett to start the procedings against Mike Hussey who is on 24 (28) and sharing a 55 (74) partnership with Shane Watson 61 (102), Australia 119-3, 200 ahead. A maiden.

- James Anderson against Watson at the other end, who is looking to finally get a three-figure score; and gets a single off the last ball, Australia 120-3, 201 ahead.

- A single off the third over, Australia 121-3, 202 ahead.

- Appeal for a catch by wicket keeper Matt Prior against Watson off Anderson, only Prior shouting. England debate and decide not to review it, replays show the ball give Watson's arm a hint of a brush, nothing on the bat or glove. Wise decision by England. Three runs this over, Australia 124-3, 205 ahead.

- 127-3, 206 ahead after the fifth over of the day, Australia on a 3.33 run rate on day 3 of the 3rd day, is 3 their lucky number? First boundary of the day goes to Watson which takes him to 72. A couple here, inside edge and another run there takes Australia to 134-3, 215 ahead, Watson on 75.

- Singles off the over make it 137-3 after 7 overs, Australia 218 ahead.

- Just a single from the 8th over, Australia 138-3, 219 ahead.

- Steven Finn is brought on for Tremlett, England looking for a breakthrough, no wickets for them yet after 8 overs and 19 runs on the day. Finn starts with a maiden, Australia staying on 138-3, Watson and Hussey on a 74 off 127 balls partnership.

- Anderson stays on at the other end. A communication breakdown between Watson and Hussey nearly costs them a run out, but only nearly, England clutching onto straws... 139-3, Australia 220 ahead at the end of the 10th over of the day.

- Four leg byes off the last ball make it 145-3, slow but happy progress by Australia.

- Nice strike by Watson against Anderson, two off the last ball, takes the opener to 80, Australia 147-3.

- Maiden by Finn, Watson and Hussey staying put at a 83-run partnerhip off 152 balls, the best if the match so far.

- A boundary by Hussey v Anderson brings up the 150 for Australia, Australia 152-3, 233 ahead and finding their stride and hour into day three.

- Watson hits two successful boundaries smoothly through extra cover, England desperate for breakthrough and a breakdown by Australia. Another boundary brings on 100 partnership, 101 off 164, Watson on 90 (169) contributing 60(102), Hussey 36 (62), Australia 165-3, 246 ahead and cruising. Drinks come on. 15 overs so far today, no wickets, 46 runs, just over 3 runs per over.

- Tremlett is back on, three off the first ball after drinks. Problems with the side boards, the players have a break, Kevin Pietersen has a lay-down... Hussey polishes his helmet... Tremlett his face... And cheers go around when the side screen is back moving. Now, the camera keeps blacking out. Problem after problem... About 5 minutes break gone there, can England get the breakthrough after that little interruption? Hussey answers that question by smacking the ball away for four. Australia 174-3 after 49 overs, 16 on the day.

- A couple of singles take Australia to 177-3 after 50 overs, 258 lead, Watson on 95, Hussey on 46.

- WICKET - Watson given OUT lbw off Tremlett, he sends it straight to review on 95, hits him just under the knee pad, the ball hits the wickets, STILL OUT, Watson gone in the 90s again, missing out on another Ashes century, shaking his head saying he has hit it, replays nor hawkeye nor white spot show anything on the ball, looks like he knicked his pad with the bat missing the ball by inches, Australia 177-4, England finally get the breakthrough! They want and need an Aussie collapse now before lunch! Steven Smith in at number six and off the mark with a single. Australia 180-4 at the end of the over, Australia 261 ahead.

- WICKET - Smith caught at slip by Strauss off Finn, sends it straight to review shaking his head, replays shows his bat misses the ball by an inch, but the ball hits his pad, the third umpire checks for lbw, but the ball would have gone over, DECISION OVERTURNED Smith not out, Australia still 180-4. 184-4 at the end of the over, Tremlett had a chance for a dive-catch down the boundary line, but it fell maybe too short for him, Smith safe for nowm Australia 265 ahead, 6 wickets in hand.

- Hussey finds the gap for four, which takes him to his 25th half century, the sixth successive one, a record that is. His average this series so far is 113, one century, two half centuries! Impressive, or what?! Chance for a run out! But Finn misses the stumps at the non-scorers end, Hussey safe and smashes the last ball for four, Australia 197-4, 278 ahead.

- Short leg comes in for Smith against Tremlett, an awkward bouncer bounces off the bat, no one can get to it, three runs bring up the 200 for Australia, followed by a boundary, the partnership races to 27 off 27, Australia 204-4, 285 ahead.

- Anderson is back on before the break. 207-4.

- WICKET for Tremlett - of the last ball before lunch, lbw given out against Hussey, he sends it to review straight away unimpressed, looks high maybe, hawkeye shows the ball goes high over the stumps, DECISION OVERTURNED AGAIN, these reviews are more than paying off for Australia, how England would have loved a wicket off the last ball just before lunch... Australia's morning, 211-4 after 57 overs, 292 ahead, Hussey on 69 off 86 at lunch, England with chances and semi-chances, left needing to work hard to get in there and break Australia.

2nd & 3rd session highlights:

- Due to personal (lack of sleep and optimism) reasons, I didn't catch much of the rest of the day, check out the BBC website for the the full day's action.

Johnson destroys England's batting response

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 3rd Test - Waca, Perth - Day 2

My picks of the second day:

Mitchell Johnson destroyed England taking six wickets for only 38 runs. Ryan Harris contributed with three wickets, taking out England skipper Andrew Strauss on 52, who will be hoping England can break Australia early and quickly on day three after they finished the day on 119-3, Shane Watson with his 14th Test fifty (61*) and Mike Hussey (24*) holding through with a standing parternship of 55.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 119-5, 149 behind at lunch: What a turnaround for Australia! England collapse losing 5 wickets for as little as 20 runs, Johnson starring and smacking in 4 of them. Australia with a comeback-and-a-half, England stunned.

2nd session, England 187 all out after 62.3 overs, 81 runs behind at tea: Australia complete the perfect turnaround, Johnson finishing England off taking two more wickets making it 6-38 in total for him, Harris improving after a bad start to the day taking three. England destroyed, the last 5 falling for only 42 runs and tea is taken early.

3rd session, Australia 119-3, 200 runs ahead, at the end of the second day of the third Test: Australia hold through after a little collapse, but England will be hoping they can break through them nice and quickly and in similar fashion to this late session, taking three wickets for 33 runs, Watson and Hussey withstanding to the end of the day.

Partnerships: England openers Strauss and Alastair Cook made a promising start to the day and looked to frustrate Australia with the best partnership of the Test so far of 78. They were all smashed and broken to pieces after that, 5 wickets falling for 20 runs and the last 5 falling for only 42 runs. Watson and Hussey held through till the end of the day for Australia after the hosts crumbled a little bit again losing their first three wickets in similar fashion to their first innings. Their partnership stands on 55, England will be hoping it won't go on for much longer on day three or break Strauss and Cook's record partnership (of the match so far that is).

Bowling: From boo to woo man, Johnson turned the match around for Australia and the series around for himself. Much criticised and lambasted after his failures in the first Tests, it looked doubtful whether he would survive and be called up for this Test. Well, well he did with figures of 38-6, making skipper Ricky Ponting smile again. Harris contributed his part too with three wickets and did well and made up for a bad start in the morning. England recovered a little bit by taking three wickets in the last session, although James Anderson still doesn't quite look up to scratch yet. The guests will be hoping they can make Australia tumble and crumble again early on before they reach a credible or unreachable score tomorrow.


Ups: Wickets galore! The crowd got more than their money's worth. All the twists and turns, I will not dare to predict where it will go next...

Downs: Well, I'm eating my words from yesterday, Australia are more than competing, the question now is if England can make a comeback. A true Test of champions it is...

Hero to zero: Yes, what Australia can do, England can do better - collapsing included! Wow! We're snatching the good records off the Aussies but don't want to give away our bad ones...

Australia v England third Test second day as it happened

1st session:

- Hot, sunny and crucial day at the Waga, the second of the third Test. England are on 29-0 after facing 12 overs on day one, 238 behind. Ricky Ponting will want wickets quickly, openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook will have other ideas.

- Ryan Harris starts the day against Cook with a maiden.

- Ben Hilfenhaus takes on skipper Strauss at the other end, a couple of runs here and there, four from the over, England 33-0.

- An inside edge by Strauss is dropped or more like ignored by both the Aussies keeper and Watson at first slip. What a contrast to all the spectacluar catches by England yesterday and the Australia side of the old days... A couple of runs from the over and relief for the guests, England 40-0 after 3 overs this morning.

- Remind me what the wicket keeper, slips and fielders in general are there for again?

- A maiden by Hilfenhaus, England 40-0 after 4 overs this morning, 16 in total.

- First boundary of the morning, Straiss with a fine controlled shot down the offside. Not very good bowling by Harris, too wide and high, more easy boundary strokes for Strauss, 3 boundaries of that over England 52-0 after 5 on the day, 17 overs in total. 50 partnership already for England, Strauss on 32 off 58, Cook on 20 off 44 and looking comfortable. The missed catch could prove very costly for Australia.

- England 54-0 after 18 overs, run rate of 3, 214 behind.

- Mitchell Johnson is brought on for Harris, who only had 3 bad overs this morning, and starts very, very short against the England skipper. Another boundary by Straussy, fine stride, and a single from the last ball makes it 59-0 after 19 overs.

- Hilfenhaus stays on at the other end. First boundary of the morning for Cook and a couple of singles make it 65-0 after 20 overs. 8 overs and all England so far this morning, 36 runs from it, 16 over rate, 4.5 run rate after Australia missed/ignored a catch and key wicket off the England skipper Strauss.

- Strauss nearly got Cook in a sweat, calling for a run and then re-thinking and -shouting it, apologises after wards. 4 from the over, England 69-0, 199 behind.

- A couple of singles from the over, England 71-0 after 22 overs. 10 overs so far this morning, 42 runs, England going smoothly and comfortably, the openers on the highest partnership of the match so far. Who can get the breakthrough for the Aussies?

- Another wide, short ball smashed for four by Cook, Ponting is not impressed with Johnson. England 75-0.

- Hilfenhaus no ball, first of the match, he was onto a maiden, 2 runs off the seventh and last ball of the over, England 78-0.

- WICKET - Mike Hussey at gully catches Cook off Johnson, a bit late in the stroke. Cook stays at the crease for a couple of seconds getting his hopes up for a review but it definitely carried. Australia finally get the breakthrough, Englands 78-1, Cook out for 32 of 63. Jonathan Trott comes in at numver 3. You can feel how Australia are lifted up by the wicket straight away. Wicket maiden, a good over for Johnson.

- A maiden for Hilfenhaus too, England 78-0, 190 behind.

- Trott still on 0, bat high, wicket keeper appeals for a catch, no touch and not much of an appeal though, not out. Trott off the mark with a boundary through the slips - and is GONE the next ball. A little swing for Johnson, lbw, Trott out for 4 off 8, England 82-2. Kevin Pietersen is on, given OUT lbw too, sent for a review, looked like a late swinger, pitched in line, hits the stumps hard, wicket stands, England lose a review and the third WICKET, KP out for a duck, England 82-3 after 27 overs and suddenly up against it. 7 overs, 2 maidens, 21 runs and 3 wickets for Johnson, from boo to woo man for Australia, turning the morning around.

- Sweet boundary for the skipper Strauss takes him to 49. How crucial is that missed/ignored catch no?! Straussy gets his 22nd Test half century off 95 balls, he is on 51, England on 88-3 after 28 overs.

- Paul Collingwood faces his first delivery v Johnson and is off the mark with a single from the last ball of the 29th over, England 89-3.

- England 92-3 after 18 overs this morning, Colly doing well v Hilfenhaus.

- Colly nearly caught at slip, just drops short, would have been a spectacular catch. Ponting smiling for the first time. England 94-3 at the end of that over.

- Harris back on for the Aussies, see if he can improve his morning as well v Strauss. Peter Siddle seems to be warming up too. WICKET - outside edge, the skipper caught behind, beaten by a little swing, out for 52 off 102, crucial wicket. England are in trouble collapsing to 94-4. Ian Bell joins Colly on 5 and is off the mark with a boundary. 98-4 at the end of that over, much better by Harris. About half an hour until lunch, suddenly England are sweating and praying for the break, Australia smelling blood with the two new batsmen on.

- Johnson lbw appeal against Collingwood, not given, Ponting sends it for review, no risk no fun, looks high... But the decision is reversed, it is a WICKET, as the hawkeye shows the ball hits the top of middle and on stump, Colly's out for 5 off 1, England are reeling 98-5. Matt Prior comes on, Johnson is on 4 wickets for 24 runs in his 10th over. A wicket maiden it is, successful over for Johnson, what a turnaround for him and Australia! Half an hour to go until lunch. 21 overs so far this morning, 69 runs, 5 wickets. See what England's lower order can do...

- England reach and pass the 100 mark, not much cheers and applause, surprise, surprise. 101-5,167 runs behind.

- Long break and fielding changes by Australia, Johnson bowls short v Bell, another maiden for him, 101-5 it stays.

- 4 leg byes as the wicketkeeper is overstretched and pushes the ball onto the boundary. Prior is the off the mark with a couple off Harris, England 107-5 after 36 overs, 24 overs this session, 161 behind.

- Siddle is on just before lunch, v Bell. 3 fine runs down mid on, brings Bell on the last ball, knicks it wide of Brad Haddin for four. England 114-5 after 37 overs, 154 behind.

- Harris starts with a wide, next ball Haddin is the only one shouting for a catch against Bell, no interest whatsoever in that one, umpires and Australia alike. Some cool and good running takes England to lunch on 119-5 after 38 overs. Bell on 13 off 20, Prior 3 off 16. 26 overs for 90 runs and 5 wickets this morning, 13 over rate and 3.46 run rate. England collapsed losing 5 wickets for as little as 20 runs, Mitchell Johnson starring and smacking in 4 of them. The lower order will have to stand for another 149 runs for England to make up the deficit. Who would have thought that about 90 minutes ago, ey? England on top, cruising, Australia looking all lost hope... Fool me! The match and series is more than on again!

2nd session highlights:

- WICKET - Prior out for 12 off 42, bowled by Siddle, the ball bounces backwards and forwards between bat and body and onto the off stump, an odd/lucky/freaky but one, but welcome wicket for the Aussies, England 145-6, 123 runs behind. Graeme Swann on.

- WICKET - Swann caught behind, out for 11 off 32, England 181-7, second wicket for Harris after taking the crucial one the skipper.

- WICKET - Bell 53 off 90 caught by Ponting at second slip, another one for Harris, England 186-8.

- WICKET - Anderson caught by Watson at first slip, easy catch, a duck for Johnson to finish England off and make it 6-38 for him. England 187 all out after 62.3 overs, 81 runs behind, and tea is taken early. Johnson finished England off taking two more wickets making it 6-38 in total for him, brilliant figures, Harris improving after a bad start to the day taking 3 wickets including the skipper Straussy. We have got a match and series on our hands alright after all!

3rd session highlights:

- England appeal for a catch against Shane Watson, not given, Australia 6-0, England don't go for review. It looked like a serious appeal, so, how come they don't take the review? Replays show the ball hit the trousers, that made the sound, great decision by the umpires, no review wasted for England.

- Aus 31-0 after 12 overs, Watson on 19, Hughes on 12, 112 ahead, at drinks, England need a breakthrough (or 2/3/4/5...) so they can go into day three thinking more positive...

- WICKET! And there it is, England have the breakthrough, Hughes caught at third slip by Colly off Finn, easy comfortable catch shoulder higher, the opener is out for 12 off 31, Australia 31-1. Skipper Ponting is in, looking for a good score desperately, not just for his own record, but for the fate of this series which is hanging in a worrying balance for the Aussies... He is off the mark with a single. Australia 31-1 at the end of that over.

- Ponting faces Anderson, the man who got him out three times this series, the Aussie skipper's demon? The skipper averaging just above 20 runs this series scoring 83 in the six innings so far. England appeal for a catch, umpire doesn't give it, but England seem sure he hit it... Hot spot shows the ball hit his glove... And, the umpire's decision is overturne, Ponting is OUT! For 1 off 9 balls, caught behind, off Steven Finn, Australia 34-2, 115 ahead. Still a miserable series for the skipper so far, run-wise at least...

- WICKET - Michael Clarke bowled by Chris Tremlett for 20 off 18, trying to play an angled bat shot, failed as the ball deflects and crashes into the stumps, Australia 64-3, 145 ahead. Could this be the start of yet another major collapse?

- The answers is no, not yet anyways, Watson with his 14th Test fifty (61*) and Hussey (24*) withstand and hold through till the end of the day, their parternship standing on 55 and Australia on 119-3, 200 runs ahead, at the end of the second day of the thirs Test. England will be hoping they can break through them nice and quickly and in similar fashion to this late session, taking three wickets for 33 runs this session.

Tremlett shines as Australia are all k.o.

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 3rd Test - Waca, Perth - Day 1

My picks of the first day:

England took full control in familiar fashion on the first day of the third Ashes Test, bowling Australia out for 268 after winning the toss at the Waca in Perth. Stuart Broad replacement Chris Tremlett justified his selection by taking three fine and crucial wickets on the day. England's bowlers showed focus, patience and stamina wiht only three extras in the whole of Australia's innings, all leg byes. England's openers finished the day safe and dry on 29, 239 behind with 10 wickets in hand.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 65-4 after 26 overs at lunch: England in control after Australia lost the toss. Only 3 extras so far, all leg byes, shows England's focused bowling. Not at their best yet the guests, but they are still getting the breakthroughs and wickets.

2nd session, Australia 179-6 after 64 overs at tea: England keep control in the afternoon, Australia getting starts but England spoiling and ending any promising looking batting or partnership. An all too familiar picture in this series for the hosts.

3rd session, Australia 268 all out, England 29-0, 239 behind with all wickets spare at the end of day one: England's day, all day. Advantage to the guests as they take a firm grip on the third Test and the Ashes urn with it.

Partnerships:

It was an all too familiar story for Australia, starts but no control, no centurions. Mike Hussey (61), Brad Haddin (53) and Mitchell Johnson (62) all scored half centuries before a last-wicket stand of 35 between Peter Siddle (35) and Ben Hilfenhaus (13) boosted the total. Haddin shared the two top scoring partnerships of 68 and 52 with Hussey and Johnson respectively, looking the most promising but failing just the like in the end, caught behind at second slip. There were some spectacular catches and bowling, but in the end, Australia failed in many ways, not able to cope with the bowling attack and gain any control.

Bowling:

Australia were 69-5 just after lunch, which reflects what control and grip England's bowlers have on the hosts' batsmen. The lower order did save the Aussies some blushes, each and every bowler doing their part to fell them down. James Anderson was everything else but at his best but still took 3 wickets for 61 off 20 overs. Man of the day Tremlett shows similar figures with 3 wickets for 63 runs off 23 overs. Spinners Steve Finn and Graeme Swann contributed a couple of breakthroughs and wickets each for 86 and 52 respectively. Some spectacular fielding and catches grabbed all the attention and advantage too, Paul Collingwood with the catch of the day at third slip, one-handed, at full stretch, jumping to his right.


Ups: For England, everything is looking up at the moment. All advantage to the guests, on the day, in the match and series - a win would see England retain the urn, Australia losing control and options.

Downs: I may sound a bit premature and spoilt, but, if England would win this Tests, wouldn't that spoil the rest of the contest? Wouldn't it take the fire out of the last two Test matches? I don't think so, because England are growing hungrier and hungrier with every successful day - they want to thrash the Aussies badly and give the back some of their own medicine England had to suffer under all the years/decades. What do you think? Please feel free to add your comments and discuss...

Hero to zero: Sad for Shane Warne that the only thing he can make headlines these days is his love life. That just exemplifies and shows what the Australian cricket has fallen to... Tut-tut...

Australia v England second Test day one as it happened

1st session:

- So, it is 0-1 to England after two tests, three tests to go and all eyes are on the Waca in Perth.

- Australia need a win desperately and have rung in changes: The hosts have gone all pace with four fast bowlers in attack. Spinner Michael Beer is left out and new man Steve Smith and Phil Hughes replace Marcus North and Simon Katich joining recalled Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus who are in for Xavier Doherty and Doug Bollinger.

- England, with a win, can retain the Ashes before Christmas. Chris Tremlett is brought into attack replacing injured Stuart Broad, the only change to the in-form England side.

- England win the toss and Andrew Strauss chooses to have a bowl. Ricky Ponting would have gone the same way.

- James Anderson kicks the match off, Shane Watson joining Phil Hughes in a new opening parternship for Australia. Brilliant catch down the legside by the wicketkeeper Matt Prior with his left glove, given, England all cheers, Watson sends it straight to review, the ball seems to pass the bat and glove, the sound coming from the ball scraping the pocket, the decision is reversed, Australia relieved, no wickets off the first over, a maiden over for Anderson.

- Stuart Broad replacement Tremlett faces Hughes on the other end, who is off the mark with a couple off the fourth ball - and bowled with the last ball off the over! What a cracker! A short one! Australia 2-1 after 2 overs! England have their breakthrough!

- Skipper Ricky Ponting already at the crease. 4-1 after 3 overs, Watson getting another couple off Anderson.

- Ponting faces his first delivery against Tremlett, I would give a penny on his thoughts right now. He clips one through floating slip/gully, no one there for the catch, it goes for four. Kevin Pietersen curses it, and the field is changes straight away, another gully put on. Another teasing boundary on the onside, fine shot, 12-1 at the end of the 4th over.

- Watson edges the next ball up and high, Strauss gets his left hand to it up in the air but no grip around, dropped on 2, followed by a single and another boundary by Ponting, the third of the morning. Paul Collingwood takes a brilliant catch at fourth slip, stretched out and on a jump with his right hand, it would have been another definite boundary if it would have slipped through, the Aussie skipper is out for 12 off 10, Australia reeling 17-2, Michael Clarke in on number 3. 17-2 after 5 overs, one wicket each for the opening bowlers, a wicket chance every over so far, two taken.

- Watson single brings Clarke against Tremlett who goes short, 18-2 after 6 overs, run rate of 3 per over.

- Another single by Watson, Anderson a bit off the mark, wide, this morning, Clarke sending the ball through the gap between the two gullies, off the mark with a boundary. Anderson needs to go fuller. Australia 23-2 after 7.

- Tremlett goes a bit fuller, Watson smashes him for four, he's unbeaten on 9; correction: on 10 after another careful single, the first Australian into double figures today. And Prior gets his 100th catch in Test cricket (in only 38 matches), the pace and bounce, Clarke beaten by a short one, finds a thin edge and out for 4 off 10, Australia 28-3 at the end of the 8th over.

- Mike Hussey on, Watson standing through a maiden against Anderson, it stays 28-3 after 9 overs...

- ... For now as Hussey faces Tremlett... And is off the mark with a single off the last ball, Austria 29-3 after 10 overs.

- Steven Finn comes on for Anderson against Hussey and starts with a maiden, Australia 29-3 after 11 overs.

- Tremlett stays on the case against Watson, who leaves one that comes back on him and clips the next from an awkward angle and ball falls just short of short-leg. Watson in all sorts of trouble. Another maiden. Still 29-3 after 12 overs.

- Hussey slices Finn away for four through the slips. Finn switches to around the wicket, much better... 33-3 after 13 overs and the end of the first hour, drinks are on.

- A maiden for Tremlett v Watson, Australia 33-3 after 14 overs.

- 35-3 after 15 overs, Finn still finding his way.

- Anderson is back on for Tremlett, Strauss giving him a spell from the other end before lunch, just a single from it, Australia 36-3 after 16 overs.

- Watson's given out lbw against Finn, Aus 36-4, it looks stone-dead, but Watson sends it for review, the ball definitely hits the boot first but was it high or outside the line, nope, JUST half-half, in/outside the line, umpire's call stands, stone-dead he is, Watson out for 13 off 40, that was just a gamble-review, one wasted, 36-4 it is, Finn off the mark with his first wicket. Steve Smith is on. Off the mark with a single off the second ball he faces. A couple of boundaries at the end of the 17th over, Australia 45-4.

- 46-4 after 18 overs. The debate is raging whether the ball was outside the line on Watson's lbw, even the 3rd umpire is seen discussing with the other officials, I think it was 50%-50%, not enough to overturn the umpires decision.

- Australia clutching onto straws on 47-4 after 19 overs.

- And just another single off the 20th over, Australia 48-4, Hussey on 13 off 39 and Smith on 4 off 15.

- 49-4 after 21 overs, they are still discussing the lbw decision, now saying it may have just bounced before hitting the foot meaning it was in-line... It is out, final, full stop!

- Maiden over by Anderson v Smith, 49-4 after 22 overs.

- Awkward Hussey single brings up 50 for Australia. Another single is followed by a six from Hussey, everything else but confident or flashy but still the maximum boundary, followed by a four off an attempted full toss, Hussey wacking and cracking a bit against Finn now, Australia 62-4 after 23 overs.

- Tremlett back on for Anderson just before lunch v Hussey on 25. Single, Smith edge off the last ball drops well short of slip, Australia 63-4 after 24 overs.

- Not Graeme Swann but Paul Collingwood is on just before lunch, v Hussey. 65-4 after 25 overs, parternship of 29 off 53, Hussey on 28, Smith 5.

- Tremlett takes the last over before lunch and completed a maiden, Australia 65-4 after 26 overs. 26 overs, 65 runs, 4 wickets, 13 over rate, 2.5 run rate this session. England haven't even been at their best bowlingwise this morning, Anderson especially and still Australia are in tatters.

2nd session highlights:

- 69-5 Smith caught by Strauss at slip...

- 137-6 Haddin is out, caught behind and out for 63, not given at first but Prior is sure sending it straight to review without a split second deliberation, the decision is overturned, Swann gets his first of the match.

- Australia 158-6, Haddin on 46, Johnson on 11.

- Tremlett back on, single from the over, Australia 159-6.

- Johnson hits a four, the only run from the over, 163-6.

- Half century comes up for Hussey, his 7th Test fifty, Australia 171-6. 177-6 after 63 overs.

- Collingwood on just before tea. A couple of singles make it 179-6 after 64 overs and that's tea. 28 overs, 114 runs, 2 wickets, 14 over rate and 4.07 run rate in the second session of the day and match. England's day so far.

3rd session highlights:
Taken from the BBC website as I had to go to work... :-(

- 50 off 91 balls partnership, Aus 187-6, Haddin contributing 17 off 41 from his total 53 off 78, Johnson 32 off 51.

- WICKET Haddin c Swann b Anderson 53 (Aus 189-7): Play is held up by what Aggers describes as "a renegade sightscreen" (sorry, no "renegade sightscreen" graphics available), which shoots off in the wrong direction and forces several spectators to move. But then Haddin flashes at Anderson, and Swann leaps to take another great catch above his head at second slip!

- WICKET Harris b Anderson (Aus 201-8): Johnson is swinging at everything, hoicking Anderson past mid-on with an unorthodox jab for four that takes him to 41. A nudge off his legs scatters a few seagulls, while JL on TMS apologises for the lack of the usual "crystal-blue" Perth sky. Harris is finally off the mark in the series as he square-drives Anderson for three, but after Johnson rotates the strike with a single, Harris is yorked off his pads by the Burnley Express!

- DRINKS BREAK Aus 225-8: I've been impressed by the Australian lower order. They've frankly shown far more sense than the more celebrated players above them in the team. Lovely pull shot here from Siddle, two runs for him off Tremlett. "That was a beautiful shot," says an admiring Michael Vaughan.

- Aus 229-8: Tremlett finally bowls the last ball of the over. That took a while to come after an lbw appeal by Tremlett off Siddle was reviewed by England and given NOT OUT - It was slightly too high and a fraction leg-sidey, but it's taking an age to get the right sort of camera on board to save Siddle. Anyway he is saved. If it had been given out and Siddle had challenged it, he would have remained out, but this way England lose a review. That's modern cricket!

- WICKET Johnson c Anderson b Finn 62 (Australia 233-9): Great fielding off his own bowling by Finn as Johnson attacks. And now he pulls one straight to square-leg. Bye bye, Mitch.

- WICKET Hilfenhaus c Cook b Swann 13 (Aus 268 all out): Not before time, Strauss goes back to Swann, and his spinner gets the wicket that wraps up the innings. Bat-pad catch to short-leg, Hilfy hung around hoping to get lucky, but the umpire finally gives him out.

- Well that was an annoying tail-end bite, more than a sting. Tremlett was marvellous throughout, Swann and Anderson were dependable as ever, and Finn? Two vital wickets, but he went at nearly six runs an over and won't be getting an invite into the one-day squad any time soon.

- CLOSE OF PLAY Eng 29-0 (Strauss 12, Cook 17): England's openers leaving so well on length. You can do that when facing the new ball in Perth, only the Aussies chose not to. Johnson bowls a ball that's so short he almost hurls it onto his own toes, and Haddin had to jump very high to collect that. Good yorker from Johnson, but these two can play yorkers. And the last ball of the day is calmly played down the ground. England's day.