Australia reduce England to Ashes

Harris takes six wickets in second innings as hosts win by 267 runs in third Test to level series.

PERTH:

A resurgent Australia levelled the Ashes with a comprehensive 267-run victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at the WACA Ground.

Set 391 to win, England resumed at 81 for five and offered little resistance, lasting just 10 overs and less than an hour into the opening session, as bustling seamer Ryan Harris ran through the tail to finish with a career-best six for 47 in his fourth Test, dismissing the tourists for a mere 123.

Only days ago Australia were consumed by self-doubt in the face of a rampant English side anticipating their first series victory Down Under for years, but the scene is now set for a Boxing Day blockbuster in Melbourne.

One downside for the Australians was a finger injury to captain Ricky Ponting, who added fitness concerns to his form woes and watched from the pavilion as his side completed the victory.

Ponting suffered a fracture of his left little finger trying to complete a slips catch late on day three, but said he expected to be fit to play in the fourth Test in Melbourne, starting on December 26.

“I will have as much treatment and look after it as well as I can for the next few days,” said Ponting, who has just 83 runs at 16.60 in the series.

“I think I have a really good chance of playing. It is only a small fracture, it is a bit sore and angry at the moment, but I’ll be fine.”

The home side’s comprehensive win in Perth seemed unfathomable when Australia made just 268 on the first day after being sent in to bat, and even less so when England cruised to 78 for no loss early on the second day.

However, recalled fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson’s stunning four wickets in 27 balls on day two as part of his first-innings haul of six for 38 turned the series on its head and another century from the rejuvenated Mike Hussey (116) in Australia’s second innings sealed England’s fate.

If England did harbour any hope of a record fourth-innings chase it was quickly erased late on day three, when their top five batsmen all went cheaply, including Paul Collingwood falling for 11 to the final ball of the day.

Ponting said the controversial move of playing four fast bowlers worked and praised man-of-the-match Johnson’s second-day spell for turning the match, and possibly the series.

“Mitch’s spell was unbelievable, probably one of the all-time great Ashes spells and to have that happen when it did, and have him coming into the game under a bit of pressure as well, was an amazing achievement from him and brilliant for the team,” said Ponting.

“It’s set up this victory and no doubt now set up the series for us.”

England had won by an innings in Adelaide in the second Test and another victory for the tourists would have guaranteed they retained the Ashes, but instead Australia notched up their first win in six Tests. However, England captain Andrew Strauss said that the poor performance was an aberration and that he had total belief his resilient team would retain the Ashes.

“Now is not the time to panic. We have played a lot of good consistent cricket during this tour so far, and we are going to have to do similar in these last two matches,” said Strauss.

“It is all about bouncing back well now. We have done it in the past and we have to do it in Melbourne.”

England captain Andrew Strauss

“We’re disappointed. We dropped off this game, but if we retain the levels of consistency we have a great chance of winning the series. Now is not the time to panic.”

Australia captain Ricky Ponting

“It’s an amazing thing what a bit of confidence does and just having that winning feeling back again can make the team achieve some pretty amazing things.”

Australia name unchanged squad

Australia are considering sticking with their four-man pace attack in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG in Melbourne, after naming an unchanged squad for the match. The Australians plumped for four fast-bowlers in the 267-run third Test win over England at the WACA Ground, and stuck with the same 12 for Melbourne, retaining spinner Michael Beer in the squad. Meanwhile, captain Ricky Ponting is confident of being fit for the MCG Test despite a fractured finger on his left hand.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2010.