Perth: England's tail collapsed dramatically
after a record fifth-wicket partnership by centurions Dawid
Malan and Jonny Bairstow had given the tourists the ascendancy
on the second day of the third Ashes cricket Test, here today.
England were all out for 403 at lunch after losing their
last six wickets for just 35 runs, having won the toss and
elected to bat.
Australia lead the series 2-0 and can regain the Ashes
with victory at the WACA Ground, although heavy rain is
forecast for the final two days.
Bairstow put a controversial few weeks behind him to
notch his fourth Test century as part of a 237-run stand with
Malan, whose maiden Test ton came to an end just before the
interval.
The pair notched a new record fifth-wicket partnership
for England against Australia, beating a long-standing mark
set in 1938 by Eddie Paynter and Denis Compton at Trent
Bridge.
Having come together with England under pressure at 131
for four shortly after lunch Thursday, the pair breathed life
back into their team's Ashes defence.
Malan's wicket was the first to fall Friday, with his
breakthrough innings finally came to an end when he was
brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Peter Handscomb from
the bowling of Nathan Lyon.
His departure for 140 had England at 368 for five, and
signalled a sudden collapse for the tourists, with Moeen Ali
lasting just two balls for his duck and Chris Woakes making
just eight runs.
Bairstow was then bowled by Mitchell Starc for 119 as the
capitulation accelerated.
The wicketkeeper-batsman had responded to the challenge
of being promoted to bat at six with his fourth Test century.
It was a welcome tonic for the 28-year-old, who has
endured a controversial tour with a bizarre head-butt incident
involving Australian opener Cameron Bancroft at a Perth bar,
and a war of words with the home side, on and off the field.
The Australians dropped three chances on the opening day,
but Handscomb and Pat Cummins both took brilliant catches on
Friday.
