Australia have gone past England’s first innings total of 403 late in the second session of play at the WACA. Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh have put together a 173 run stand as the English continue to struggle to dismiss the Australian batsmen.

It has been a procession of runs since the lunch break most of which have come off the bat of Mitch Marsh who has scored his maiden Test match century at his home ground. The hosts lead by 18 runs at the Tea break with Steve Smith 182 not out, and Mitch Marsh 100 not out.

Ian Chappell has also compared this English bowling performance to that of the English teams of old who copped numerous hidings at the hands of Australia.

“England are the team who seem under fire and unable to maintain line and length”

“From ’89 to ’05 England copped a lot of beatings from Australia, through that period they certainly couldn’t maintain line and length.