The Ashes: 3rd Test, Day 2, Perth - As it happened...

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England, 1st innings

Stumps

Over 68 || Score 180/4

Day two was in England’s charge at the start of play but by the time it ended; fortunes had turned in Australia’s favour. It seems England will again have to struggle to keep their hopes alive in this series, beginning Sunday. After Cook’s dismissal, England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen, followed suit. The short length delivery by Siddle in the 52nd over was hit at mid-on where Mitchell Johnson dived in to take a brilliant catch. Mitchell Johnson went wicket-less today while, Ryan Harris, Shane Watson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon got one wicket each. Ben Stokes was 14 not out and Ian Bell was on nine. England trail by 205 runs with 6 wickets remaining

Pietersen c Johnson b Siddle 19 (59b, 3x4)

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Over 49 || Score 136/3

Though the duo – Pietersen and Cook were playing quite defensively, a change in bowling attack took a toll on Cook. This time it was Nathan Lyon’s spin blow for the England skipper. Cook cut the delivery and it reached straight to David Warner at point. This was quite a poor shot selection by the English captain. Ian Bell joins Pietersen. England trail by 249 runs.

Cook c Warner b Lyon 72 (153b, 10x4)

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Over 48 || Score 132/2

After Root’s ‘DRS’ departure, Cook and Pietersen have added 42 runs for the third wicket partnership. They are playing cautiously taking singles and doubles and are not going for very big shots. Mitchell Johnson, the star performer of last two Tests, on the other hand, has not been able to take wickets till now. Cook is going strong in his 100th Test match. Scoring, for the captain is essential if England wish to keep their hopes in the Ashes alive. England trail by 253 runs.

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Over 34 || Score 91/2

The DRS issue that cropped up in the Ashes series back in England, was yet to come up here in winter Ashes, until now. Joe Root, has been given out off Watson’s delivery. The television replays show no mark on the Hotspot, neither do they show a deviation on the Hot Spot. But, there’s a sound, after the ball has passed the bat, on the Real-time Snicko. Root was quite sure he did not hit it, and is disappointed leaving the ground. Kevin Pietersen in the new man in.

England trail by 294 runs.

Root c Haddin b Watson 4 (16b, 1x4,)

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Over 26 || Score 85/1

The English openers have given a steady start to the innings. They played cautiously and added 85 runs before Aussies got their first breakthrough. Ryan Harris in the fourth delivery of the 26th over stumped Carberry, who could not judge the change of angle and length of the ball. Joe Root has joined captain Cook at the crease. Cook is at 40 runs off 79 balls with five fours to his credit.

Carberry b Harris 43 (76b, 8x4, 1x6)

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Over 6 || Score 24/0

Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry, took charge of a match, which is in England’s control at the moment. Ryan Harris began the Aussie proceedings, and his first over was a maiden. Mitchell Johnson was greeted to loud cheers when he began with the second over, and why not? He has been match-of-the match twice in the last two Ashes Tests. The speedster is in breath-taking form this Ashes. By lunch, England were at 24 runs without loss of any wickets.

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First innings, Australia

Over 103.3 || Score 385

The 31-run partnership was broken by Bresnen when he dismissed Siddle off his delivery in the 104th over. The fall of Siddle’s wicket has wrapped up the Aussie innings. Day 2 is in England's control till now but the English top-order needs to be stable, unlike their performances in the last two Tests, if they wish to take control of the Perth Test.

Siddle c Prior b Bresnan 21 (36b, 3x4)

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Over 100 || Score 370/9

James Anderson began the second day’s proceedings for England, with Steven Smith on strike. After the first maiden over, the 89th over by Stuart Broad, got England their seventh Aussie wicket. Mitchell Johnson, partnering Steven Smith was out. The ball edged Johnson’s bat and the wicket-keeper Matt Prior took an easy catch. Australia lost their 7th wicket without adding any runs on Day 2. Peter Siddle joined Smith after Johnson’s departure. In the 91st over, Smith, who literally handled the Aussie innings on Day 2 was dismissed by Anderson. The umpire wasn't convinced about his wicket, as the ball thinly inside edged to reach Prior. Cook went for a successful review and Smith was out on 111 runs. Ryan Harris, the new man in, quickly fell victim to Anderson in the 96th over, the ninth Aussie wicket, to fall. He hit the length ball towards the gully where Root caught him. Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle have the Aussie reigns and they are complementing each other well, before any one of their wicket falls, to wrap up the Australian innings.

Johnson c Prior b Broad 39 (62b, 6x4)

SPD Smith c Prior b Anderson 111 (208b, 14x4, 2x6)

Harris c Root b Anderson 12 (19b, 1x4)

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Day 1 Round-up

A topsy-turvy first day of third Ashes Test at Perth finally ended on a good note for the home side. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, but the tourists stated off well as they got their first breakthrough in the form of Chris Rogers in second over. And then some irresponsible stroke-making by the Australian batsmen push them on the back-foot, as on one stage they were struggling at 143 for five. Then Haddin and Steve Smith stitched a partnership of 124 runs for the sixth wicket. The highlight of the day was certainly the second Test hundred scored by Smith. He is still unbeaten on 103 and on the other end Mitchell Johnson is on 39. Eventually one can say that the first day of Perth Test belongs to Australia.