Australia have regained the Ashes, defeating England in the third Test by an innings and 41 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
» Five talking points from Australia’s crushing third Test win
England require a miracle to save the third Ashes Test, but rain and some in-form batsmen might do the trick against an Australian side on the verge of winning the series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1pm (AEDT).
The tourists are in all sorts. Down 2-0 in the series, they have just six wickets left in their second innings, still 127 runs from making Australia bat again.
England have been comprehensively outplayed, yet still might get away with it. The weather forecast for Day 5 is less than impressive and plenty of rain overnight will leave the ground in a state where play might not be possible at the start time.
While the rain is expected to ease as the day goes on, the chance of getting 98 overs in appears slim so Australia will need to move quickly.
Luckily for them and their bowling attack, they took four English wickets yesterday, some of them simply unplayable thanks to the cracks starting to open up in the WACA wicket.
If they continue to create havoc today, it could be over in no time. However, the main reason England were able to build such a lead in the first innings was Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow.
After scoring 140 and 119 respectively in the first innings, they sit 28 and 14 not out at stumps, seemingly the last hope given an out of sorts Moeen Ali and the tail are to follow.
England’s tail has been, to put it nicely, woeful throughout the series.
If England are going to have any chance of surviving and forcing a draw (provided the rain holds off) it feels as if the pair will need to knock off the remaining runs and then some.
It all comes not so long after Steve Smith scored a double century and Mitchell Marsh 181 to put the hosts in a commanding position. The pitch is still one which allows a batsman to score runs, but surviving the start of an innings has been difficult.
The pitch has certainly deteriorated, but not to the point where you would doubt Australia making a short chase at the end of the match if needed – of course, the thrill of amazing Adelaide from 2006 would be sensational, but it probably won’t get there.
Prediction
The only way England get a draw out of this is if there is more time lost due to the weather. If we play a full 98 overs, then Australia will take the six wickets and if needed, chase it down at some point.
I’m hesitant to say Australia will win by an innings, but if they get Bairstow and Malan early then that should be the result with the tourists still 127 behind.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the final day in Perth from 1pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Actually there have been. In England. The last Ashes was competitive, finished 3-2, just funny that none of the matches were competitive, Australia whipped England twice, England whipped Australia 3 times. The one before that England may have won 3-0, but both the rain affected draws were matches where Australia was on top, and one of England's wins was only 14 runs. So in many ways the series was still a lot more competitive than we've seen here. In 2009 Australia dominated the first match in Cardiff, but England held on for a draw, just, and then managed to win the series 2-1. So definitely have been some competitive series.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No worries guys. Thanks for following.
doogs
Guest
Thanks Scott. Really appreciated
doogs
Guest
he had one stump to aim at and he missed it by one cm. I guess you would have hit it though. Plus he had to do it in one motion
doogs
Guest
Well done Australia. Considering the state of play half way through day two this was a great win. Wonderful batting from Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. Hazlewood was great again. He could have easily had five for in the first innings as well. Somebody posted on here said he was over-rated. I felt that was an odd comment at the time. I wonder what that person thinks of him now. Also he has close to 140 wickets at around 25 each. There is no way that he is over-rated. Also the selectors have done a fantastic job. Maybe we don't agree with their choices - me included - but full marks for their selections. Shame England did not put up more of a fight.
jamesb
Guest
Well played Australia. Now are we any of doing something in England in 18 months time. There hasn't been a real competitive series since 2005.
Simoc
Guest
The best thing for England is that they have got to the fifth day each test. Great win for Australia. Very impressed with Tim Paines keeping. He looks to be our best keeper in memory. Smith of course is huge and the major difference between the teams. Hard to compare him with anyone. And we have the best bowlers who will get better yet.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott, great work.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that's going to wrap up The Roar's coverage of the third Ashes Test as Australia regained the urn! Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage from myself, Suneer and Josh over the last few days. We will be back from Boxing Day with the now dead rubber fourth Test. Tomorrow night, the Big Bash begins. I'll be live with the opener between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers from 7:45pm (AEDT). Bye for now.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Great for us Aussies, but I do feel for the Poms. They deserve better than they have gotten by some of their senior players. Almost feels like Graham Swann giving up mid-game all over again.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Well done boys, commiserations England. Imagine how amazing Tim Paine would feel, the most unexpected of selections.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So then, Australia have reclaimed the Ashes. Thoughts on the day, match, series Roarers?
sittingbison
Guest
What's abysmal about the pitch? It's late on day 5, a record score made, 4 big centuries, one a double.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Great performance by Australia. Almost a pity England couldn't put up more of a fight thought.
Scott Pryde
Expert
They are just bowling a lot of short stuff. A lot of balls passing between ribs and shoulder height.
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! Chris Woakes, Caught Tim Paine, Bowled Pat Cummins 22 (48) AUSTRALIA REGAIN THE ASHES!! Let the celebrations begin. A bouncer to end it from Cummins as Woakes tries to control it through the cordon. He gets a top edge on it though and the ball goes through to Paine who completes the catch. Australia have done it in straight sets just before tea on the final day in Perth. What a send off from Ashes cricket for the WACA as they win by an innings and 41 runs.
Over: 72.4 Score: 10/218
anon
Roar Pro
Series over. Poms weren't worthy competition.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Can't watch at the moment, but how are the Aussies getting away with so many bouncers? Are you referring to balls only rising below shoulder height? Surely if the pitch has soft spots on a length then the quicks won't get much lift from that end anyway
Scott Pryde
Expert
This one stays low on a good line. Cummins has Woakes stuck on the crease, but he manages to defend it back down the wicket.
Over: 72.3 Score: 9/218
Scott Pryde
Expert
Woakes defends the next to mid off from outside the line off stump.
Over: 72.2 Score: 9/218