Shropshire Star

Alastair Cook goes for golden duck as England's Ashes hopes fade

England appeared on course to lose the Ashes in Perth today as they tried to sustain an unlikely rearguard in defence of the urn.

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Captain Alastair Cook was bowled for a golden duck as his team's mission improbable got off to a horror start at the WACA – set a notional world-record target of 504 to win the third Test.

A successful pursuit, after Shane Watson (103) and George Bailey had piled on England's agony to take Australia to 369-6 declared, was the only way they could stay in with any chance of a fourth successive Ashes series victory.

But after the instant shock of losing their captain, to a near unplayable first delivery of the innings from Ryan Harris which beat Cook on the defence and clipped the off bail, England showed some heart to reach tea on 95-3.

On a pitch crazy-paved by wide cracks after being baked by 100 degree heat for three days, it was near unthinkable that England could eke out their remaining wickets for another 127 overs at least.

Michael Carberry and Joe Root responded in adversity with a stand of 62 for the second wicket, until the opener – for the second time in the match – was undone by a change of angle.

This time, Watson went round the wicket and pinned him lbw on off-stump.

Root continued to defend stoutly until he squeezed an edge behind from a very full Mitchell Johnson delivery, brilliantly caught by a diving Brad Haddin one-handed diving to his right.

DRS could not prolong Root's 88-ball vigil for just 19 runs.

And Kevin Pietersen went when he holed out looking to bring up his 50.

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