Australia has been dismissed for 309 in its second innings, setting England 391 runs to win the third Ashes test.
Mike Hussey was the last batsman out, caught on the leg—side boundary for 116 to give fast bowler Chris Tremlett his first five—wicket haul in a test innings.
Tremlett finished with 5 for 87 in his first test in three years after he replaced an injured Stuart Broad in the team.
Australia lost its last five wicket for 38 runs.
If England reaches the winning target, it will take an unbeatable 2—0 lead in the series and will have retained the Ashes.
Tea report:
Michael Hussey’s 13th test century has given Australia a tight grip on the third cricket test, despite a gallant fightback after lunch by England at the WACA ground.
Hussey continued with his prolific batting form and remained unbeaten on 111, with Peter Siddle three not out at tea in Australia’s total of 297—8.
The home side has an overall lead of 378 runs.
Australia lost four wickets in the middle session, two of them to England fast bowler Chris Tremlett, who has four for 76.
Hussey pulled Tremlett to the square leg boundary for his 13th boundary and raced towards the players’ dressing room punching the air in celebration of the milestone.
Hussey has so far batted for five hours and hit 14 fours off 163 balls and has now scored a half century or better in each of his visits to the crease this series.
Under intense pressure to keep his place in the side before the series opener in Brisbane, Hussey started with 195, and scored 93 and 52 in the second test loss in Adelaide, and 61 here in the first innings.
Earlier, opener Shane Watson was trapped lbw by fast bowler Chris Tremlett for 95, cutting short his dreams of scoring his first Ashes hundred.
Watson hit 11 fours in his four—hour innings and his 113—run partnership with Hussey enabled Australia to build a sizeable lead over England.
Steve Smith, Australia’s new no.6 batsman, contributed 36 runs in a 75—run stand with Hussey as England toiled in the afternoon before three wickets in the space of 13 runs gave the visitors something to cheer about.
With the pitch evolving and producing more batsman—friendly bounce, England would be quietly hoping to chase any target Australia might end up setting.
Two years ago, South Africa successfully chased 414 and won by six wickets here.
With over six sessions remaining in the test, England has the time on its side, but the Mitchell Johnson factor looms menacingly with the leftarmer rediscovering his ability to swing the ball.
Johnson broke the England batting in the first innings with 6—38, drawing confidence from his top score of 62 in Australia’s first innings 268 on a difficult pitch.
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