PERTH, Australia, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Australia has taken command of the pivotal third cricket test against England after two days of play.
The home side, two-up in the five-match series, dismissed England for 215 Friday -- 28 runs shy of their first innings score of 244.
Australia's second knock began sensationally when Justin Langer was bowled by Mathew Hoggard with the first ball. But the runs flowed when Ricky Ponting joined Mathew Hayden and both batsmen were on 57 not out at stumps with the Australians one down for 119.
England's hopes of building a first innings lead disappeared before lunch when the wickets began tumbling. Andrew Strauss (42) was given out, caught behind by Gilchrist off Stuart Clark but a television replay suggested his bat didn't touch the ball.
Paul Collingwood went for a paltry 11 runs, Andrew Flintoff for 13 and Geraint Jones for a duck.
Only an adventurous 70 runs by Kevin Pieterson supported by Steve Harmison (23) and Monty Panesar (16 not out) saved England from total disaster.
