Ashes PHOTOS: Australia maintain control in Perth

In reply to Australia’s first innings total of 385, England were 180 for four at stumps on the second day, with Ian Bell on nine (from 62 balls) and Ben Stokes on 14, still trailing by 205 runs on the second day of the third Ashes Test against England at the WACA Ground on Saturday.

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Australia leads the series 2-0 after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide, and can regain the Ashes with a win in Perth.

The home team struck two key blows in the final session of the day, removing England captain Alastair Cook (72) and batsman Kevin Pietersen (19) in quick succession. England were progressing steadily at 136-2, with Cook, who was dropped on three, grinding his way back into form.

However, the left-hander cut a Nathan Lyon delivery straight to Dave Warner at backward point for a soft dismissal.

There was again a DRS controversy in the Ashes Test when Joe Root was adjudged caught behind from the bowling of Shane Watson just six runs later and was out for just four runs.

Root challenged the decision, but third umpire Tony Hill ruled the replays were inconclusive and umpire Marais Erasmus's initial verdict stood.

Earlier, Australia removed Michael Carberry and Joe Root in the half an hour before tea to leave England on 91 for two at the break on the second day of the potentially decisive third Ashes Test at a sweltering WACA.

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All-rounder Shane Watson's medium paced delivery beat the Yorkshireman's bat and umpire Marais Erasmus raised his finger in the midst of a frenzied appeal from the Australians, who thought they had heard a nick of bat on ball.

England's bowlers had started the day bowling a better length than they had on Friday - when they let the hosts off the hook after reducing them to 143 for five - but Australia still added 59 runs to their overnight tally of 326 for six.

Stuart Broad (3-100) had Johnson caught behind by Matt Prior for 39 and Smith went in similar fashion for 111 after an England appeal to the TV umpire revealed a tiny nick and gave James Anderson his first wicket of the match.