Smith spoils England's day
Australian captain Steve Smith again proved to be a major obstacle as England wasn't able to capitalise on their overnight momentum on the second day of the third Ashes Test in Perth on Friday.
England first innings centurion Dawid Malan urged his team to ramp up the pressure on the home side at the end of the first day's play, but a late order collapse by the visitors and the broad bat of Smith ensured the match was evenly poised at the end of the second day.
At stumps Australia were 203 for three, with Smith on 92 and Shaun Marsh on seven, a deficit of 200 runs with seven wickets in hand after dismissing England for 403.
The tourists appeared to miss a golden chance to remove Marsh just before stumps, when the left-hander hit the ball onto Mark Stoneman's foot at short leg and the fielder was unable to cling onto the rebound as he and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow both lunged at the catch.
England had looked set to post a massive score when they were 368 for four with Malan and Bairstow seemingly in total control, but then lost six wickets for 35 runs in a stunning collapse before lunch.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, who notched his fourth Test century in making 119, said the match was evenly balanced and conceded Smith's wicket was key, but believed England had a perfect chance to take control when play resumes on the third day.
"We have the capabilities of taking five or six wickets in a session, we have shown that previously and there is no reason we can't now," he said.
The 28-year-old played down his century celebration, which including knocking the helmet against his head several times, and said it was completely spontaneous and "a bit of a light-hearted fun".
SCORES IN BRIEF
ENGLAND: First innings 403 (Stoneman 56, Vince 25, Root 20, Malan 140, Bairstow 119; Starc 4-91, Hazlewood 3-92, Cummins 2-84)
AUSTRALIA: First innings 203 for 3 (Bancroft 25, Warner 22, Khawaja 50, Smith 92 not out; Overton 2-46)
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