England In Command After Opening Day

England took a firm grip on the third Ashes Test in Perth after bowling Australia out for 268 on day one.

Australia's problems continued on the opening day against more impressive bowling from England, but the hosts’ tail end did well to once again signal a fightback after yet another top-order collapse.

Tremlett was the pick of the paceman with three wickets, while James Anderson shook off concerns over jet-lag with three-for.

The opening session saw Australia in all sorts of bother at 4- 36 before, out of form bowler Mitchell Johnson top-scored with 62.

Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin also hit fifties before a last-wicket stand of 35 between Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus boosted the respectability of the total.

It was another superb day for England as Strauss and Cook managed to see off an opening spell taking England into the pavilion on 29-0 at the close of play.

Another commanding performance with the bat on the second day would put England on course to secure the victory that would give them a 2-0 series lead and ensure they retain the Ashes.

Mike Hussey's solid form continued; as did his strong partnership with Brad Haddin, yet these positive displays by the middle order merely serve to highlight a deeper underlying issue that the hosts are wrestling with at the top of the order.

For the second Test in a row, England’s bowlers tore through Australia's top order in the first hour of the match, retained their composure through a middle-order rally, and finished off by bowling them out inside the first day.

Importantly for England- the selectors’ decision to go with Tremlett in place of the injured Stuart Broad paid off, whereas Australia's confusing selection policy was exposed once again as Phil Hughes failed at the top of the order, and all-rounder Steve Smith looked out of his depth at number six.

England's openers survived 12 overs until the close, with Alastair Cook playing a somewhat out of character upper-cut six to third man.

The stark contrast in fortunes continued as Ryan Harris was off target, with nothing much left in the pitch for the day for Ben Hilfenhaus.

England has a great opportunity to take the reins on the second day here. They will make history by retaining the Ashes in only the Third Test; however there is still a lot to be done.

The visitors’ batsmen need to apply themselves and carry their good form through on day two.

One would imagine that if they were to wrack up a lead of perhaps 150, that their bowling attack will head out into the third innings with enough of a lead to attack the Australian top order once more.