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The Ashes
Sport

Rain brings relief for England as Australia get one hand on the Ashes urn on day four in Perth

Tourists lose four second-innings wickets, including one to Mitchell Starc’s ‘Ball of the summer’, as they attempt to bat out the remaining overs in the third test

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Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates after bowling England's James Vince. Photo: Reuters
SCMP ReporterandAssociated Press
Rain stopped play in the third Ashes test at the WACA in Perth as England lost four wickets in their bid to bat out the remaining overs.

The tourists will resume on day five on 132-4, 127 runs behind Australia and needing at least a draw to retain their slim hopes of retaining the Ashes, with Dawid Malan (28) and Jonny Bairstow (14) at the crease. England need to survive all of day five to avoid defeat and handing over the Ashes.

After declaring on 662-9, Australia sent England into bat and bowler Josh Hazlewood took two quick wickets to place the tourists in serious trouble.
Australia captain Steve Smith celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss England captain Joe Root in Perth. Photo: Reuters
Australia captain Steve Smith celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss England captain Joe Root in Perth. Photo: Reuters
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Hazlewood (2-16) had Mark Stoneman (3) caught behind, and then grabbed a one-handed return catch to dismiss Alastair Cook (14) to remove former skipper and stretch his miserable form with the bat.

Cook, the senior batsman, has managed 83 runs in six innings, averaging 18.33.

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Captain Joe Root fell for 14 as he tried to hit off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s first delivery and edged to slip Steve Smith via wicketkeeper Tim Paine’s gloves.

England were on 71 for three when rain forced an early tea break on Sunday.

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