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Cook ton keeps Australia waiting Cook ton keeps Australia waiting
(10 minutes later)
England's Alastair Cook hit a defiant first Ashes century but Australia still look set to regain the Ashes after wickets fell late on day four in Perth.England's Alastair Cook hit a defiant first Ashes century but Australia still look set to regain the Ashes after wickets fell late on day four in Perth.
Cook batted heroically but finally went for 116 and then nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard was out for a duck in the same Glenn McGrath over at the Waca.Cook batted heroically but finally went for 116 and then nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard was out for a duck in the same Glenn McGrath over at the Waca.
England closed the day on 265-5, still needing 292 for a world record victory.England closed the day on 265-5, still needing 292 for a world record victory.
Earlier, Ian Bell and Cook had put on 170 before Bell fell for 87 just before tea and Paul Collingwood went for five.Earlier, Ian Bell and Cook had put on 170 before Bell fell for 87 just before tea and Paul Collingwood went for five.
Interview: England batsman Alastair Cook Interview: Australia bowler Glenn McGrath
Cook and Kevin Pietersen looked as though they were going to see out the final session and set up an amazing final day as England dared to believe they could pull off the impossible and win the match.Cook and Kevin Pietersen looked as though they were going to see out the final session and set up an amazing final day as England dared to believe they could pull off the impossible and win the match.
But veteran McGrath had other ideas with just three overs left.But veteran McGrath had other ideas with just three overs left.
He tempted a tired Cook to play across and the left-hander edged it to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist to depart after occupying the crease for more than six hours.He tempted a tired Cook to play across and the left-hander edged it to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist to depart after occupying the crease for more than six hours.
Bell fell for 87, 30 minutes before teaBell fell for 87, 30 minutes before tea
England sent in Hoggard but he lasted just two balls as McGrath bowled him for a duck with a yorker.England sent in Hoggard but he lasted just two balls as McGrath bowled him for a duck with a yorker.
Captain Andrew Flintoff was forced to the crease and endured a nervy two overs, but he reached stumps two not out with Pietersen unbeaten on 37.Captain Andrew Flintoff was forced to the crease and endured a nervy two overs, but he reached stumps two not out with Pietersen unbeaten on 37.
England battled so hard for most of the day, it was disappointing the loss of the late wickets probably meant they would not be able to stave off defeat.England battled so hard for most of the day, it was disappointing the loss of the late wickets probably meant they would not be able to stave off defeat.
Cook, in hitting his fourth Test century in 12 matches, became the youngest England player to score four tons before his 22nd birthday - which is on Christmas Day.Cook, in hitting his fourth Test century in 12 matches, became the youngest England player to score four tons before his 22nd birthday - which is on Christmas Day.
But that certainly was not on his mind when he and Bell had resumed England's innings on 19-1.But that certainly was not on his mind when he and Bell had resumed England's innings on 19-1.
They were well aware it was time at the crease rather than chasing runs that was needed if England were to keep alive their hopes of retaining the Ashes.They were well aware it was time at the crease rather than chasing runs that was needed if England were to keep alive their hopes of retaining the Ashes.
They survived nearly two sessions with a mixture of ball-blocking and playing shots off the poorer deliveries.They survived nearly two sessions with a mixture of ball-blocking and playing shots off the poorer deliveries.
Stuart Clark, who has been Australia's best bowler in the series, forced Bell into his first false shot which was edged just short of the slip cordon.Stuart Clark, who has been Australia's best bowler in the series, forced Bell into his first false shot which was edged just short of the slip cordon.
Bell looked more assured than Cook facing leg-spinner Shane Warne and they easily surpassed England's previous highest second-wicket partnership of the series, a paltry 38.Bell looked more assured than Cook facing leg-spinner Shane Warne and they easily surpassed England's previous highest second-wicket partnership of the series, a paltry 38.
And a rare occurrence of a wicketless first session for Australia gave England reason to cheer.And a rare occurrence of a wicketless first session for Australia gave England reason to cheer.
They continued in the same vein after lunch, both growing in confidence.They continued in the same vein after lunch, both growing in confidence.
Australia grew increasingly annoyed and by mid-afternoon had resorted to bully-boy appealing tactics, Warne especially, who bowled all session from the north end, but umpire Rudi Koertzen stood his ground, justifiably so according to television replays.Australia grew increasingly annoyed and by mid-afternoon had resorted to bully-boy appealing tactics, Warne especially, who bowled all session from the north end, but umpire Rudi Koertzen stood his ground, justifiably so according to television replays.
Bell had a let-off on 73 when he edged Brett Lee behind but Gilchrist uncharacteristically failed to keep hold.Bell had a let-off on 73 when he edged Brett Lee behind but Gilchrist uncharacteristically failed to keep hold.
However, Bell's gallant innings was soon over when Warne finally got his man, his 696th Test victim, Justin Langer taking a regulation catch at short extra cover.However, Bell's gallant innings was soon over when Warne finally got his man, his 696th Test victim, Justin Langer taking a regulation catch at short extra cover.
Bell had occupied the crease for 234 minutes, hitting eight fours and two sixes.Bell had occupied the crease for 234 minutes, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
The wicket visibly lifted Australia but set England hearts fluttering just as they were starting to think the unthinkable could happen.The wicket visibly lifted Australia but set England hearts fluttering just as they were starting to think the unthinkable could happen.
The belief in successfully chasing down the biggest total started to wane when Collingwood went in the final session.The belief in successfully chasing down the biggest total started to wane when Collingwood went in the final session.
He had never looked comfortable at the crease and was out for five off 36 balls feathering a Clark off-cutter to Gilchrist.He had never looked comfortable at the crease and was out for five off 36 balls feathering a Clark off-cutter to Gilchrist.
And brilliant bowling by Australia in the final 15 minutes swung it back in the hosts' favour as they attempted to win the Ashes back at the earliest opportunity.And brilliant bowling by Australia in the final 15 minutes swung it back in the hosts' favour as they attempted to win the Ashes back at the earliest opportunity.