Perth - Steve Smith posted his first hundred on home soil to help Australia recover from another stuttering top-order performance and reach 326-6 at stumps Friday on day one of the third Ashes Test.
After winning
the toss and batting for the third consecutive test, Australia slumped
to 143-5 before Smith combined with vice-captain Brad Haddin (55) in a
124-run, sixth-wicket stand.
He was unbeaten on 103 at stumps, batting with Mitchell Johnson (39 not out).
England had the upper hand when Graeme Swann (2-71) dismissed Michael Clarke (24) and David Warner (60) on either side of lunch and then Stuart Broad (2-78) removed George Bailey (7), but Haddin came to the rescue again with his fourth consecutive half century.
Australia has won the first two Tests and is aiming to regain the Ashes with victory at the WACA, where England's last win was in 1978.