PERTH, Australia, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A stubborn England defied Australian efforts to wrap up the third cricket test in Perth Sunday but still appear doomed to lose the Ashes.
Needing 557 runs for victory, the tourists ended the fourth day of play on 265 for the loss of five wickets.
Australia, already two-up in the five match test series, need to remove the last of England's recognized batsmen who were still there at stumps - Kevin Pieterson on 37 and Andrew Flintoff 2.
Earlier, Alistair Cook and Ian Bell frustrated the Australian attack with a second wicket partnership of 170 before Bell fell to a catch off Shane Warne for 87.
Paul Collingwood made only five runs before edging a ball from Stuart Clark to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
The 21-year-old Cook fought on with Pieterson before Glenn McGrath, taking the new ball, had him caught for 116.
England sent in fast bowler Mathew Hoggard as nightwatchman but he also fell to McGrath after lasting only two balls.
McGrath ended the day 2 for 50 from 20 overs; Clark 1 for 31 from 17 and Warne 1 for 100 from 31.
