Gooch: 'Day two crucial for England's Ashes chances'

Graham Gooch says England must pile the runs on during day two if it is to stand a chance of Ashes victory in Perth.

Graham Gooch: "I don't think with 500 we can start thinking we've got a chance of winning the match but it gives us a chance."

England can be happy with its best day of the Ashes in Perth but Graham Gooch has warned it will matter for little if it cannot back it up on Friday.

For the first time in the Test series Joe Root's side finished on top at stumps thanks to Dawid Malan's maiden hundred (110 not out) and a superb 75no from Jonny Bairstow.

READ:  Malan's maiden Test ton lifts England

The pair put on an unbeaten 174 for the fifth wicket at the WACA to leave England 305-4 at the close of the opening day of the third Test, and in prime position to put Australia under pressure.

With England 2-0 down in the series, another defeat would see it relinquish the urn, and former skipper Gooch says the hard work comes on day two.

"We can have a little wry smile on our face because we've had our best day today," Gooch told Omnisport , speaking courtesy of Greene King IPA.

"I say that with caution because to make it worthwhile we need to have two good sessions tomorrow, so we can have at least an opportunity to put pressure on Australia.

"Three hundred is a great score on the first day, but it will all not matter for much unless we can bat for the morning tomorrow and well into the afternoon and get close to 500.

"[But] I don't think with 500 we can start thinking we've got a chance of winning the match but it gives us a chance.

"It's not a winning score but for the first time in this series it will put England in the ascendancy and give us a chance of pressurising them and see how they perform under pressure."