This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6185175.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gilchrist century slays England Awesome Gilchrist savages England
(10 minutes later)
Adam Gilchrist scored the second fastest Test century in history as Australia took total command of the third Ashes Test.Adam Gilchrist scored the second fastest Test century in history as Australia took total command of the third Ashes Test.
He reached his ton in 57 balls, one behind Viv Richards' 20-year record as Australia declared on 527-5, a lead of 556, on day three in Perth.He reached his ton in 57 balls, one behind Viv Richards' 20-year record as Australia declared on 527-5, a lead of 556, on day three in Perth.
Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey also completed centuries as Australia looked in the box seat to regain the Ashes.Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey also completed centuries as Australia looked in the box seat to regain the Ashes.
In reply, England were 19-1 at stumps with Andrew Strauss out lbw for a duck.In reply, England were 19-1 at stumps with Andrew Strauss out lbw for a duck.
England were set a mammoth 557 to win, which would be the highest ever run chase if they were successful. Gilchrist, who finished unbeaten on 102, set a series of records as he raced to his 17th Test hundred in spectacular fashion, with 12 fours and four towering sixes.
Or they need to try and bat out two days in a desperate attempt to keep the defence of their Ashes crown alive. The wicket-keeper equalled Graham Thorpe's record for the fastest Ashes fifty when he reached the milestone off just 40 balls.
But they were up against it from the start of their reply with Strauss wondering what he had done to upset umpire Rudi Koertzen. He also set a record for the most runs off a single six-ball Ashes over when he plundered 0-2-6-6-4-6 off spinner Monty Panesar.
For the second time in this match he had been on the wrong end of a dubious decision, and this time had to walk when he was given out lbw, when replays showed Brett Lee's delivery was probably going over the stumps. From early on it was clear he was gunning for Richards' record, which was set against England in Antigua, but his stunning display was not quite enough.
It was particularly annoying for England as the umpires had refused to give any lbw decisions in the Australia innings on the basis of height on a bouncy wicket. Gilchrist's powerful display overshadowed the achievements of his fellow batsmen.
Hussey hit his first Test ton on his home ground and Clarke completed an accomplished fourth Test hundred, while Matthew Hayden (92) and Ricky Ponting (75) narrowly missed out on centuries as England's attack was taken apart.
The rampant Australians amassed 408 runs off just 66 overs to leave England trailing by a mammoth 557 and needing to bat out two days to keep the defence of their Ashes crown alive.
And the tourists were up against it from the start of their reply when Strauss was deemed out lbw to a rising Brett Lee delivery by umpire Rudi Koertzen.
It was the second time in this match that Strauss had been out to a dubious decision and was particularly annoying for England as the umpires had refused to give any lbws in the Australia innings.
Hussey hit a Test ton on his home ground the WacaHussey hit a Test ton on his home ground the Waca
But nothing could take away from Gilchrist's amazing onslaught with the bat. Although the bowling figures make ugly reading for England, they actually bowled pretty well for most of the day.
It was nothing short of amazing and from early on it was clear he was gunning for Richards' record, which was set against England in Antigua.
In one Panesar over he smashed 0-2-6-6-4-6, which was the first time 24 had been scored in an Ashes over.
But Gilchrist was not the only centurion for Australia, with Michael Hussey hitting his first Test ton on his home ground and Michael Clarke completing his fourth Test hundred.
And despite the bowling figures making ugly reading for England, they actually bowled pretty well for most of the day.
Early on they were extremely unlucky not to take more wickets with a mixture of lbw shouts not being given and chances not quite going to hand.Early on they were extremely unlucky not to take more wickets with a mixture of lbw shouts not being given and chances not quite going to hand.
Hussey survived numerous close calls before falling to Panesar for 103 on the stroke of tea.Hussey survived numerous close calls before falling to Panesar for 103 on the stroke of tea.
He had breathed a sigh of relief when a loud lbw appeal was turned down by umpire Aleem Dar early on in his innings and he was then completely flummoxed by a Hoggard inswinger which he hit in the air but the ball fell agonisingly wide of Alastair Cook at midwicket. There was also a huge shout for a catch at silly point off Panesar but Hussey, on 15, did not walk and Koertzen deemed the ball had flicked his pads, although replays showed there was probably a bit of bat too.
There was also a huge shout for a catch at silly point off Panesar but Hussey, on 15 at the time, did not walk and Rudi Koertzen deemed the ball had flicked his pads but replays showed there was probably a bit of bat in there too.
He had another life when he skied a shot while reaching his half-century but an advancing Geraint Jones could only get his finger tips to the ball.He had another life when he skied a shot while reaching his half-century but an advancing Geraint Jones could only get his finger tips to the ball.
Andrew Strauss also came close to dismissing him as Hussey edged the new ball but Strauss could not keep hold of it. Strauss also dropped a difficult chance at first slip when Hussey edged the new ball.
Before play began, England knew at the very least they needed to avoid defeat to keep alive their dreams of retaining the Ashes. Steve Harmison had given England hope in the sixth over of the day when he dismissed captain Ponting caught behind for 75.
And the omens looked good when Steve Harmison struck in the sixth over of the morning session, captain Ricky Ponting edging a perfect length delivery behind to Jones for 75. Hayden, who had the benefit of a close lbw decision, was furious with himself when he departed eight runs short of his century, a great parried catch by Paul Collingwood off Panesar ending his innings.
But for the rest of the session England were frustrated and the rub of the green was certainly with the hosts at the Waca.
Matthew Hayden was furious with himself when he departed eight runs short of his century, a great parried catch by Paul Collingwood off Monty Panesar seeing him off.
But before he fell Hayden had had the benefit of the doubt by Koertzen on an lbw shout and he had edged Hoggard but it fell just short of Jones.
After their hard work for little success in the morning session, England tried to continue in the afternoon but they began to toil in the heat, which was upwards of 37C.After their hard work for little success in the morning session, England tried to continue in the afternoon but they began to toil in the heat, which was upwards of 37C.
And they were punished firstly by Clarke and Hussey who put on a record 151 runs for the fourth wicket and then by Clarke and Gilchrist who flayed the bowlers around the ground. They were punished by Clarke and Hussey who put on a record 151 runs for the fourth wicket.
Panesar bowled 34 overs in the second innings and although he conceded 145 runs, he took the wickets Hayden, Hussey and Andrew Symonds to end with eight in the match. Panesar bowled 34 overs in the second innings and although he conceded 145 runs, he took the wickets of Hayden, Hussey and Andrew Symonds to end with eight in the match.