Australia level Ashes series

A resurgent Australia levelled the Ashes with a comprehensive 267-run victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at the WACA Ground. Set 391 to win, England resumed at 81-5 and offered little resistance, lasting just 10 overs and less than hour into the opening session, as bustling seamer Ryan Harris ran through the tail to finish with a career-best 6-47 in his fourth Test, dismissing the tourists for a mere 123. Only days ago Australia were consumed by self-doubt in the face of a rampant English side anticipating their first series victory Down Under for years, but the scene is now set for a Boxing Day blockbuster in Melbourne. One downside for the Australians was a finger injury to captain Ricky Ponting, who added fitness concerns to his form woes and watched from the pavilion as his side completed the victory. Ponting suffered a fracture of his left little finger trying to complete a slips catch late on day three, but said he expected to be fit to play in the fourth Test in Melbourne, starting on December 26. “I will have as much treatment and look after it as well as I can for the next few days,” Ponting, who has just 83 runs at 16.60 in the series, said. “I think I am a really good chance of playing. It is only a small fracture, it is a bit sore and angry at the moment, but I’ll be right.” The home side’s comprehensive win in Perth seemed unfathomable when Australia made just 268 on the first day after being sent in to bat, and even less so when England cruised to 78-0 early on the second day. However, recalled fast bowler Mitchell Johnson’s stunning four wickets in 27 balls on day two as part of his first innings haul of 6-38 turned the series on its head and another century from the rejuvenated Mike Hussey (116) in Australia’s second innings sealed England’s fate. Ponting said the controversial move of playing four fast bowlers worked and praised Johnson’s second-day spell for turning the match, and possibly the series. “Mitch’s spell was unbelievable, probably one of the all-time great Ashes spells and to have that happen when it did, and have him coming into the game under a bit of pressure as well, was an amazing achievement from him and brilliant for the team,” Ponting said. “It’s set up this victory and no doubt now set up the series for us.” England had won by an innings in Adelaide in the second Test and another victory for the tourists would have guaranteed they retained the Ashes, but instead Australia notched up their first win in six Tests. Despite suffering their first loss of the tour, England captain Andrew Strauss said his side would not panic and traced the result to the second day of the match. He said England’s top order batsmen were to blame for the loss. “We are very disappointed,” he said. “Especially being 80-odd for nought, chasing 260, we were in a position to take control of the game. “We dropped off this game, but if we can retain the levels of consistency we have a great chance of going on and winning the series. “Now is not the time to panic.” Strauss said the series was delicately poised heading to Melbourne, and did not rule out changes to the English side. “The Boxing Day Test match is going to be a huge match for all sorts of reasons,” he said. “We have to play better than we have done this game, but I have every confidence that we will do.” If England did harbour any hope of a record fourth-innings chase it was quickly erased late on day three, when their top five batsmen all went cheaply, including Paul Collingwood falling for 11 to the final ball of the day. It was only a matter of time on Sunday for the Australians, who were led by Michael Clarke in Ponting’s absence. Harris starting the rout by clean bowling nightwatchman James Anderson for three, and England lost their last seven wickets for only 39 runs. Man-of-the-match Johnson picked up 3-44, he and Harris both claiming nine wickets for the Test.