Third Test, Day 1

Overview

The England bandwagon that began in Brisbane and gained momentum in Adelaide is reaching full speed in Perth. On the first day's play of the third Ashes Test the tourists dismissed Australia for just 268 and will begin day two well placed on 0/29.

England's intent was clear from the toss when Andrew Strauss stuck Australia in on a hard, bouncy WACA pitch. In response, England's pacemen all took early wickets to leave the hosts 5/69 shortly after lunch.

Philip Hughes (2) was outdone by Chris Tremlett's length, Ricky Ponting (12) succumbed to a memorable Paul Collingwood slip catch while Michael Clarke (4) just didn't look up for it on his way to fishing an edge behind. Shane Watson (13) almost looked in but a Steve Finn yorker trapped him LBW while Steve Smith (7) can add himself to the long list of Australian batsmen out to balls this series they needn't have played at.

Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin took the fight to England, the pair counterattacking with Brisbane-like gusto. Unfortunately for Australia this lasted for seven hours less than their first-Test partnership. Just as the momentum was beginning to shift Australia's way, Graeme Swann popped up to remove Hussey (61) with a beautiful turning delivery that Matt Prior collected behind the stumps.

Mitchell Johnson joined Haddin to continue the rearguard action with the bouncy pitch suiting his selection of stand-and-deliver cuts and pulls. Again though another burgeoning partnership was broken at a crucial time, just as England began to look ruffled. In the fourth over after tea Haddin (53) fell to a scorching Graeme Swann slip catch. The Australian wicketkeeper threw the kitchen sink at a full James Anderson delivery that flew high towards the slips where Swann leapt to take an instinctive two-handed catch.

Shortly afterwards Ryan Harris (3) was outfoxed by a swinging Anderson yorker that disturbed the stumps and a total around 200 looked on the cards. Australia's tail had other ideas though as Johnson (62) continued to bludgeon England's bowlers to all parts - ably backed by Peter Siddle. Johnson eventually fell pulling Finn to Anderson at square leg but that didn't hold Siddle back. He continued to enjoy himself, particularly at Finn's expense on his way to an unbeaten 33 while Hilfenhaus kept him company. The final wicket counted for 35 valuable runs as England and Finn in particular lost their way.

Fortunately for Andrew Strauss he has Graeme Swann to turn to and the king of taking wickets in the first over of a spell added another to his ledger as Hilfenhaus (13) deflected one off his pad to Alastair Cook at short leg.

By dismissing Australia so cheaply England invited a testing hour of batting on itself before the close of play. Australia's four quicks caused England's openers a few flutters without placing them under consistent pressure. Harris made one spit viciously at Strauss but the combination of glove and handle caused the ball to loop just short of Ricky Ponting in the slips.

Earlier in the day Australia chose not to pick Michael Beer, opting instead for an all-pace attack supported by Steve Smith and Shane Watson. As expected, Chris Tremlett replaced Stuart Broad for England.

The view from Australia

Once again, Australia's top order has simply not been good enough. The WACA wicket was the hard bouncy track that has been demanded but Australia's technique did not stand up to the scrutiny. Today's 5/69 follows previous first innings scores of 5/143 and 5/156. Lynchpins Ponting and Clarke are woefully out of touch, Hughes has been brought in without runs under his belt, Smith is not yet a Test number six and Watson's inability to convert starts is becoming habitual.

The one shining light in the gloom is Mike Hussey. By knowing which balls to leave, which to defend and which to attack, Hussey is showing up his illustrious colleagues in the most basic facet of batting.

The view from England

After Australia's first innings at Brisbane there was concern that England could have arrived for this series a bowler light. Since then, James Anderson has swung the new ball with pace and control and Graeme Swann has owned the old ball. Around these gems Stuart Broad, Finn and now Tremlett have taken valuable wickets at crucial times ensuring Paul Collingwood has rarely been called upon to get through any fill-in work.

It helps of course that catches, both routine and spectacular, are held and the captain is prepared to back his attack.

As previous England captains found out to their embarrassment, winning the toss and electing to field is a dangerous strategy in Australia. Dismissing an Australian side on the first day ensures Strauss will not suffer similar shame.

Hero

Richard Halsall. While much has been written about the Southern Africans in England's dressing room little has been made of Zimbabwean Richard Halsall's impact on the England side. Halsall was appointed England's first full-time fielding coach in 2007 and the fruits of his labour can be seen throughout this England side.

England fielders now don't miss straightforward catches and now frequently grab blinders. The wickets earned by Paul Collingwood and Graeme Swann plucking the ball out of the air are the kinds of wickets that win Test Matches. They are the catches England used to drop and, worryingly for their hosts, Australia is starting to shell with regularity.

Villain

Andrew Hilditch. The National Selection Panel was on a hiding to nothing following such a disastrous start to this series. However, Phil Hughes looked woefully short of form to be opening on a lively WACA and Steve Smith is not yet a Test number six. I think both players deserve backing but to pick both when neither is in stellar form whilst ignoring their progression against token opposition last summer smacks of poor planning.

Also, the selection of Michael Beer in the 12 now seems even more ridiculous. Why invite such scrutiny if such a left-field selection wasn't going to play?

I'm not sure anyone else noticed but...

Ricky Ponting said he would have bowled first had he won the toss. This is the same Ricky Ponting that has not bowled first after winning a toss since August 2005...

What's next?

If England bats as well as it has in its last two Test innings the Ashes could be out of Australia's reach by Sunday. After dismissing Australia on day one, time is on England's side and with six of its top seven already with centuries under their belts on tour England will look to bat deep into Saturday or possibly Sunday if they could and take the game well away from Australia.

With the weather set fair and plenty of grass to keep the wicket together the next three days should offer perfect batting conditions on a wicket that plays without demons after the new ball has been navigated. Without a leading spinner, Australia has its work cut out to remain in the contest and the series by the close of play tomorrow.

TAB Sportsbet Odds:

Australia $5.00 Draw $4.00 England $1.60

Day 1

England - 029 Strauss 12*, Cook 17*

Australia - 268