Cricket - International Cricket - Bet Now at Bet365
Australia rallied from 143-5 at one stage in the third Test against England in Perth to close the first day on 326-6 as Steve Smith made an impressive unbeaten century.
It was a familiar tale on this Ashes tour for England after Alastair Cook once again lost the toss, only for the bowlers to take some early wickets before the Baggy Greens' middle and lower order hit back.
Despite being hammered in the second Test, England opted to make only one change to their side with Tim Bresnan replacing Monty Panesar while Australia were unchanged from the team that won in Adelaide.
Australia suffered an early blow when James Anderson ran Chris Rogers out for 11 with the score on 13, and it was 52-2 when Shane Watson got a thick edge to an Anderson delivery that was gathered by Graeme Swann.
Just before lunch Australia captain Michael Clarke was dismissed for 24 when he clipped Swann to Cook at short mid-on and it was 129-4 when the belligerent David Warner was caught by Michael Carberry off Swann for 60.
England were on top when George Bailey lost control of his shot and was caught by Kevin Pietersen at deep backward square leg for seven off Stuart Broad's bowling.
However, Smith and Brad Haddin than added 124 runs for the sixth wicket before the Aussie wicketkeeper was out for 55 when he mis-hit a pull shot off Ben Stokes to Anderson at midwicket.
Smith, who ended the day unbeaten on 103, was then joined by Mitchell Johnson who was still there at the close on 39 not out.
View all Cricket betting at Bet365