Oz make horror start in third Ashes Test
Perth: Australia were fighting a rearguard action to keep their Ashes hopes alive after a horror start to the third Test at the WACA in Perth on Thursday.
England won the toss and reduced the hosts to 36-4 after sending them in to bat on a greenish pitch.
Recalled opener Phil Hughes (2) and under pressure skipper Ricky Ponting (12) were among the casualties as Australia struggled to 179-6 at tea, with wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin (52 not out) battling to revive their cause.
England lead the five-Test series 1-0 after their second Test win by an innings in Adelaide and victory here will guarantee they retain the Ashes, after wresting the urn off Australia in England last year.
Hughes made just two on his return to the Test arena, clean bowled by recalled paceman Chris Tremlett (3-41), while a stunning catch from Paul Collingwood off the bowling of James Anderson (1-41) soon had Ponting heading back to the pavilion.
With the hosts limping at 28-2, vice-captain Michael Clarke was next to go, caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior off Tremlett for four, before Watson was trapped lbw by Steve Finn for 13 as Australia slumped to 36-4.
Steve Smith, recalled to replace Marcus North, made just seven before he was caught by England skipper Andrew Strauss at first slip off Tremlett to leave the score at 69-5, before Haddin, Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson (25 not out) tried to salvage the innings.
Hussey made 61 and put on 68 with Haddin before he was given out caught behind on a referral in spinner Graeme Swann's second over, after umpire Billy Doctrove had initially turned down the appeal.
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