Serial rescuer Mike Hussey raised his second test century of the Ashes series for Australia but England hit back with four wickets to slow the hosts’ charge on day three of the third Test in Perth on Saturday.
Hussey, who has repeatedly hauled Australia out of trouble after top-order collapses in the series, pulled paceman Chris Tremlett for four to bring up his ton, but enjoyed little support as his batting partners gifted their wickets cheaply.
Hussey on 111 and fast bowler Peter Siddle (3) survived through to tea with Australia on 297-8, having extended their lead to 378 and leaving England needing to mop up the tail quickly after the break to have any hope of reeling what will be a mammoth target.
Tremlett, who picked up the important wicket of Shane Watson before lunch, broke through again by dismissing Steve Smith early in the session, the all-rounder gloving a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
The towering quick then picked up his fourth wicket of the innings with a sizzling fuller delivery that trapped wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in his crease and had him play onto his stumps for seven.
Paceman Mitchell Johnson, who was roundly booed by English fans as he strolled out to the crease at a packed WACA ground, squandered his wicket for one when he drove an innocuous Paul Collingwood straight to Ian Bell in close at short cover.
Ryan Harris, who managed a pair of ducks in the second Test at Adelaide, continued the rot by hooking a short delivery from Steve Finn high in the air where Bell took an easy catch to have the quick dismissed for one.
Hussey, who enjoyed a 113-stand with Shane Watson (95) earlier, bolted halfway to the Lillee Marsh stand with arms aloft in celebration after stroking the boundary that may prove crucial for Australia’s hopes in the five-Test series.
The highest successful fourth innings run chase at the WACA was completed by South Africa when they reached a victory target of 414 to win by six wickets in December 2008.
Victory in Perth for England, who lead the five match series 1-0, would see them take the Ashes home for the first time since Mike Gatting’s team defeated Australia 2-1 in 1986/87.
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