Thursday, December 14, 2006

Australia all out at 244 runs in Perth Test


PERTH: Ashes debutant Monty Panesar spun England back into the series on the opening day of the third cricket Test against Australia at the WACA Ground here Thursday, claiming five wickets as the home side were dismissed for 244.

Needing at least a draw to keep their Ashes defence alive, the tourists were energised by the finger spin of Panesar and produced some of their best bowling of the series to dismiss the Australians cheaply after they won the toss and chose to bat.

The home side struck back late in the day to have England 51 for two at stumps, with Andrew Strauss on 24 and Paul Collingwood on 10.

The Australians removed opener Alastair Cook and No.3 Ian Bell cheaply, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee picking up a wicket apiece, while Shane Warne dropped Collingwood at first slip off Stuart Clark late in the day.

Although local player Mike Hussey held the Australian innings together with an unbeaten 74, Panesar grabbed 5-92 from 24 overs and a rejuvenated Steve Harmison took 4-48 to rock the home side's hopes of wrapping up the Ashes here.

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