Johnson And Watson Put Australia 200 Ahead

Johnson And Watson Put Australia 200 Ahead

Shane Watson's unbeaten 61 ensured Australia closed day two at Perth 200 runs to the good

©Action Images / Jason O'Brien Livepic

Australia 268 & 119-3 (Watson 61no) v
England 187 (Bell 53, Johnson 6-38)
Third Ashes Test, Perth, day two
Scorecard

Australia closed day two of the third Ashes Test against England on 119 for three in their second innings - a lead of 200 having bowled England out for 187.

Half-centuries from Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell failed to steer England to a big score thanks to Mitchell Johnson's haul of six for 38.

Shane Watson then closed on 61 not out as Australia enjoyed their best day of the series since the opening Test in Brisbane.

England, resuming on 19 without loss, made a good start to the day with Strauss (52) and Alastair Cook (32) extending their opening partnership to 78 before Johnson had Cook caught by Michael Hussey.

Johnson then picked up three wickets in quick succession as he trapped Jonathan Trott (4), Kevin Pietersen (0) and Paul Collingwood (5) in front and when Strauss fell to Ryan Harris, England had slipped to 98 for five.

Bell, who made a fluent 53 in 90 balls, then helped take England past three figures along with Matthew Prior (12) and Graeme Swann (11) before, with England's lower order not looking comfortable against Australia's quick bowlers, he was caught by Ricky Ponting driving at Harris.

Johnson then completed his five-wicket haul by bowling Chris Tremlett (2) and having James Anderson caught by Watson without scoring.

Watson then anchored Australia's second innings as England hit back strongly, removing Phillip Hughes (12), Ponting (1) and Michael Clarke (20).

Hughes was caughy by Collingwood off Steven Finn before Ponting gloved Finn to Prior down the leg-side.

Clarke fell when he was bowled by Tremlett and unbeaten alongside Watson at stumps was Hussey on 24.

Anderson and Tremlett took three wickets apiece on the opening day as Australia were dismissed for 268 after Strauss won the toss and opted to bowl first.

England lead the series 1-0 following a draw in Brisbane and an innings victory in Adelaide.

© Cricket World 2010

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