Perth glory: Johnson celebrates at the Waca
Session one: England 119/5.
England start off like a train with Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook taking advantage of some loose Aussie bowling to take England to 78 without loss. But three wickets from Mitchell Johnson in two overs puts Australia right back into this game as he tempts Cook into a loose shot which is edged to Mike Hussey. Jonathan Trott then goes for just four, trapped lbw and Kevin Pietersen is out for a duck after another lbw decision, despite the England man’s referral. Suddenly they are 82 for three. Collingwood also goes the same way after Australia successfully refer the leg before decision and England have lost five wickets for just 20 runs.
Verdict: Australia.
Session two: England 187.
Bell and Prior’s 47-run partnership is brought to an end by Peter Siddle as Australia’s workhorse picks up his first wicket since day one in Brisbane. A lifting delivery is fended away by Prior but the wicketkeeper can only look on as the ball drops on to his off stump and clips the bail. He made just 12 and the wicket brings Graeme Swann to the crease alongside Bell. The pair put on 36 before Swann goes for 11 after nicking Ryan Harris through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. The Aussies then make the breakthrough they want when Bell is caught by Ricky Ponting off Ryan Harris. Chris Tremlett and Anderson are then both dismissed by Johnson as England are bundled out for less than 200.
Verdict: Australia.
Session three: Australia
England know wickets are the order of the day and early ones at that. Australia reach 31 without loss before Finn strikes twice. Phil Hughes is a goner for 12 after he is caught by Collingwood. Aussie captain Ricky Ponting is next, perishing for one after England make intelligent use of the referral system when Prior claims a catch off what turned out to be Ponting’s glove. Chris Tremlett then comes to the party as he forces Michael Clarke to chop the ball on to his stumps. By the close Australia, with Shane Watson set fair on 61 alongside Mr Cricket Mike Hussey (24), are 119 for three, a lead of 200.
Verdict: Drawn.
Test in a tweet: ‘England collapse, losing ten wickets for just 110 runs as Australia get back in the series.’
Facebook friend: Mitchell Johnson.
Mitch was having a torrid summer, being dropped for the second Test in Adelaide after he completely lost his radar and self-confidence. But a useful 62 with the bat on day two preceded a comeback of Lazarus-like proportions yesterday as the fast bowler ripped through England’s batting line-up to take a six-wicket haul. The scalps of Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood ripped the heart out of England’s batting line-up and then he swept up the tail by getting rid of Chris Tremlett and Jimmy Anderson. When he’s bad he’s downright awful but when he’s on song, Mitch is a terrifyingly good bowler.
Unfriend: Kevin Pietersen.
You could forgive KP for his speeding ticket in Melbourne after his beautiful innings in Adelaide, where he struck a majestic double century. But he stalled yesterday with a three-ball duck, pinned to the crease and trapped lbw by a rampant Mitchell Johnson. England needed KP to produce the goods but unfortunately he just couldn’t do it this time and his failure precipitated a stunning collapse. Sorry, Kev it may be fickle but you’re off our Christmas card list.
Spot of the day: Mitchell Johnson driving away from the Waca in a quite revolting red Nissan sports car which would have been more suited to Basildon high street than downtown Perth. You may have had a stellar day Mitch, but there’s no excuse for those wheels. It just gives people who call you ‘Australia’s lead bogan’ (that’s Aussie lingo for chav) all the ammunition they need.
Healthcare professional of the day: We all like doctors, whether it be Dr Who or Dr Oetker, the purveyor of fine pizzas. Okay, maybe not all doctors, think Harold Shipman. But there’s only one doctor people are talking about in Perth and that’s the Freemantle Doctor. This doctor, though, is no use to you if you’ve got the flu because it’s actually a breeze which comes in to Perth to offer some respite from the stultifying heat and also offers assistance to fast bowlers when it’s up.
Download of the day: Australia by the Manic Street Preachers.