Cook puts Aussie celebration on hold

Third Test, Perth (Day 3 - Stumps)

Australia 244 & 527-7 v England 215 & 265-5

Chris O'Keefe

Alastair Cook's first century against Australia means that the hosts celebrations will be frustrated for another day at least. He and Ian Bell shared a partnership of 170 to help keep in the tourists in the contest.

It was a much better performance as England played an assured role, although they were blighted by three wickets in the final session to put Australia within reach of the tale. Cook, whose only other score of note was at The Gabba. The omens, like that knock, is that it will end in defeat for England. However, it does leave an interesting quandry for the remaining batsmen.

Both Flintoff and Pietersen, not out 2 and 37 respectively overnight, will likely have to reign in their attacking instincts. There have been signs that Pietersen is capable of such feats. His 158 in Adelaide needed patience to play Shane Warne's line outside leg stump. Flintoff, on the other hand, has looked out of sorts in almost every innings so far.

Then again some things have to change. However, be assured if England do pull off the highly unlikely, it will be a feat that give them the kind of energy zapped from them in Adelaide on that Monday evening. But today was a force in the right direction, it seems too late!