England’s hold on the Ashes looks paper-thin after David Warner thumped 112 in Perth and England suffered fielding and injury woes in a day to forget for the tourists.
Australia reached 3-235 at stumps on day three at the WACA Ground on Sunday in the third Test to lift the home side to a 369-run lead.
Warner, who’s averaging 91.40 in the series including two hundreds, struck 17 fours and two sixes in his 140-ball innings.
Matt Prior missed stumping chances when Warner was on 13 and 89.
Barring an overnight declaration, Steve Smith will resume on Monday on five with Shane Watson unbeaten on 29.
England will hand back the Ashes if they go 3-0 down in the series with a defeat in Perth.
The tourists took the field for Australia’s second innings on Sunday without pace spearhead Stuart Broad, who suffered a right foot injury when he was dismissed lbw by Michell Johnson in the morning session.
Prior failed to attempt a catch when Chris Rogers was on 26. Alastair Cook at first slip lunged late and dropped the chance off Jimmy Anderson’s bowling.
Rogers was struck in the ribs by a short ball from Tim Bresnan on 52 and was out two runs later to the same bowler, ending a 157-run opening stand which steered Australia towards setting England a massive total to chase.
Warner holed out to long-on at 2-183 and skipper Michael Clarke (23) was bowled by Ben Stokes.
Earlier, Australia’s pace attack exploited the cracks in the WACA pitch to mess with England’s psyche and bowl the tourists out for 251 at lunch.
England had resumed on 4-180 and lost 6-51 in reply to Australia’s 385.
Ryan Harris (3-48) and Peter Siddle (3-36) complemented the brutal pace assault from left-armer Mitchell Johnson (2-62).