Smith, Marsh put England to the sword

Perth : An epic and unbeaten 301-run stand by home captain Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh struck a heavy blow against England’s hopes of keeping the Ashes out of Australian hands on day three of the third Test at the WACA yesterday.

On an agonising day for Joe Root’s team, Smith broke bowlers’ hearts with his second double-century against the hapless English side after all-rounder Marsh celebrated his maiden ton.

The pair pushed Australia to 549 for four and a first innings lead of 146 runs, rendering England’s 403 hopelessly inadequate.

They strode off to a standing ovation, with Smith unbeaten on 229 and Marsh 181 not out, pushing toward a double-century of his own.

“It felt really good yesterday, I was in the zone. I wanted to cash in today,” Smith said before he exited the ground.

“We wanted to be out in the middle and just keep batting.”

On day two, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow had English chests bursting with pride after building a 237-run stand for a record fifth-wicket stand in Tests at the WACA.

The mark lasted less than a day, as Smith and Marsh smashed 57 boundaries between them to leave England praying for the mercy of rain.

Showers are forecast for days four and five, but the weather may not be enough to save England, who managed only a single wicket despite no fewer than seven players rolling over their arm throughout the day.

Having torched England for 107 runs in the middle session, Smith and Marsh plundered another 128 after tea, as England’s bowlers battled fatigue and the inescapable knowledge that none of their plans were working.

Having punished England with 215 at Lord’s in 2015, Smith set himself a new personal best in a masterclass of patience, precision and timing.

His unbeaten 390-ball knock has him fourth on the list of highest innings at the WACA, with the possibility of further promotion on day four.

He reached the three-figure mark, his seventh against England, when he whipped paceman Stuart Broad through the leg side for four.

The second hundred with a single off all-rounder Moeen Ali, and he bounded down the wicket roaring in triumph to the delight of a big day three crowd.

Marsh celebrated his recall with his maiden Test century, completing a rare family trio of Ashes tons.