Huss pulls it off again

Nightwatchman James Anderson was on zero at stumps as the last-ball wicket brought raucous cheers from home supporters on a day of brilliant sunshine at the packed WACA ground.

Englands highest successful fourth-innings run chase was the 332 they made to beat Australia in Melbourne in 1928. If they were to make 391 here,it would be the fifth largest run chase in Tests.

All you can do in these situations is believe, said England fast bowler Chris Tremlett,who took career-best figures of 5-87 in Australias second innings. Its obviously a long shot to win but it only takes one partnership and stranger things have happened. Well come in tomorrow believing that we can win the game.

Pace bowler Harris struck first for Australia,trapping England opener Alastair Cook lbw for 13 with a quick,fuller delivery before Mitchell Johnson had captain Andrew Strauss caught by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the slips for 15. After two days of fruitless toil,Ben Hilfenhaus celebrated his first wicket in the Test by removing dangerman Kevin Pietersen for three,caught in the slips by Shane Watson.

Johnson picked up his second wicket of the innings when he had Jonathan Trott caught behind for 31,the ball deflecting off Pontings hands for wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to take the catch. Ponting,who has had a dreadful series with the bat,injured a finger in the catch attempt.

While Johnsons six-wickets helped Australia skittle England for 187 in the first innings,Husseys latest contribution with the bat may prove equally important.

Leading scorer

After pulling Tremlett for four to bring up his ton,the 35-year-old celebrated wildly,bolting halfway to the Lillee Marsh stand with arms aloft in celebration. Hussey this week said he was one batting failure away from hanging up his gloves before the Ashes series,but now boasts 517 runs,his lowest score a 52 in the second Test in Adelaide.

Hussey had resumed on 24 with opener Watson on 61 after guiding Australia to 119-3 at stumps on day two. The pair compiled a 113-run stand before Tremlett trapped Watson lbw five runs shy of his third Test century. Tremlett broke through again after lunch by having Smith 36 caught behind. Haddin then played on to Tremlett for seven.

Johnson was booed by English fans as he strolled to the crease and jeered when he squandered his wicket for one after driving Collingwood to Ian Bell at short cover. Harris also lost his wicket for one,by skying a hook off Steve Finn to Bell.

Scoreboard

Australia 1st innings: 268

England 1st innings: 187

Australia 2nd innings overnight 119/3: S Watson lbw Tremlett 95,P Hughes c Collingwood b Finn 12,R Ponting c Prior b Finn 1,M Clarke b Tremlett 20,M Hussey c Swann b Tremlett 116,S Smith c Prior b Tremlett 36,B Haddin b Tremlett 7,M Johnson c Bell b Collingwood 1,R Harris c Bell b Finn 1,P Siddle c Collingwood b Anderson 8,B Hilfenhaus not out 0,Extras lb 6,w 4,nb 2 12,Total all out; 86 overs 309

FoW: 1-31 Hughes,2-34 Ponting,3-64 Clarke,4-177 Watson,5-252 Smith,6-271 Haddin,7-276 Johnson,8-284 Harris,9-308 Siddle,10-309 Hussey

Bowling: J Anderson 26-7-65-1,C Tremlett 24-4-87-5,S Finn 21-4-97-3,G Swann 9-0-51-0,P Collingwood 6-3-3-1

England 2nd innings: A Strauss c Ponting b Johnson 15,A Cook lbw Harris 13,J Trott c Haddin b Johnson 31,K Pietersen c Watson b Hilfenhaus 3,P Collingwood c Smith b Harris 11,J Anderson batting 0,Extras lb 7,nb 1 8,Total 5 wickets; 27 overs 81

FoW: 1-23 Cook,2-37 Strauss,3-55 Pietersen,4-81 Trott,5-81 Collingwood

Bowling: B Hilfenhaus 10-4-16-1,R Harris 6-1-22-2,M Johnson 7-1-28-2,P Siddle 4-1-8-0