By Dominic Farrell
Australia opening batsman Chris Rogers hailed his country’s best day in the Ashes series so far as the hosts cemented a dominant position in Perth.
Pacemen Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle ran through England’s middle and lower order on the third morning as Alastair Cook’s team slumped to 251 all out – a first-innings deficit of 134.
Rogers then played a supporting hand to David Warner in an opening partnership of 157 that moved Australia ever closer to regaining the famous urn.
The 36-year-old compiled a measured 54 before loosely cutting Tim Bresnan to point but Warner continued and brought up a belligerent century.
He eventually holed out off Graeme Swann but a score of 235 for three at stumps left Michael Clarke’s side clearly in the ascendency.
“I don’t think we could be in a better position, that’s for sure,” said Rogers.
“We’ve still got 10 wickets to get, we aren’t taking anything for granted. But to finish day three 370 in front, that is position A.
“Today was amazing, as good as we have had in the Ashes so far.”
Rogers suffered a painful blow towards the end of his innings when a delivery from England all-rounder Ben Stokes reared up off a large crack running down the middle of the pitch and thudded into his ribcage.
And as he nursed his bruises afterwards, Rogers took consolation from the fact that such conditions could spell a torrid time for England’s batsmen second time around.
“All in all, it’s a good surface but these cracks are going to come more into play,” he added.
“It’s flat, which means we have to put ourselves in a good postion.
“But, equally so, if these cracks keep widening, it’s going to be very hard to bat on – and it will be scary.”
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