Australia On Course To Level Series

A sensational series has once again been turned on its head with Australia closing in on a series-levelling victory at the WACA.

The hosts ripped through five England wickets during the final session to back up Michael Hussey's fantastic century.

Australia started conservatively on the third day, building steadily on the lead established on Friday when they turned the match on its head by ripping through the England batting order before advancing to 119-3.

England's breakthrough arrived just over half an hour before lunch when Watson missed a straight delivery from Tremlett and was caught in front. After reviewing the decision he was given his marching orders.

After he fell, England staged a fightback with Chris Tremlett claiming his maiden five-wicket haul.

Both Johnson and Harris struck in the final five minutes of play to finish with two wickets apiece, with Kevin Pietersen falling victim to the workhouse that is Ben Hilfenhaus.

The final session of the day did a lot of damage to England’s hopes of winning the Ashes.

What would the Ashes be without some form of drama?

It came of the final ball of the day when an out-of-form Paul Collingwood edged Harris to third slip. He will most certainly be under scrutiny for the shot, and if this was a side not set on continuity, the selectors might very well be calling his career over.

The fall of Strauss was key, with Johnson brought on in the sixth over and finding the England captain’s edge which flew comfortably to Ponting at second slip.

Hussey’s century will be the highlight of a third day’s play that has once again brought into question England’s ability to dominate an away series down under.

Hussey finally departed to a mistimed pull, when he picked out deep square-leg; however his innings has set up victory that will arrive today.

England will look back at an opportunity lost here, and look to regroup prior to the Fourth Test in Melbourne.

Australia is odds on with there being a few opportunities to make some pennies if betting on a long-shot England revival.

The series will be squared at 1-1 with the Boxing Day test being the deciding factor on whether England has the ability to once again retain the Ashes down under.