Paine calls on Australia to trigger England collapse

England enjoyed a productive first day of the third Ashes Test in Perth but Tim Paine knows quick wickets on Friday can redress the balance.

Australia will be targeting early wickets and another quick run-through of England's tail when the third Ashes Test resumes on Friday, says Tim Paine.

Australia will be targeting early wickets and another quick run-through of England's tail when the third Ashes Test resumes on Friday, says Tim Paine.

The tourist, 2-0 down heading to the WACA, enjoyed by far its best day of the series as Dawid Malan's 110 not out as well as contributions from Jonny Bairstow (75no) and Mark Stoneman (56) helped it to 305-4 at stumps.

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Australia's pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had reduced England to 131-4 in the middle session but Malan and Bairstow's unbroken 174-run stand tilted the scales in its favour.

However, the visitor's tail has consistently been blown away cheaply in this series, and Paine is hoping history repeats itself as Australia looks to restrict its opponent when it resumes with a new ball just eight overs old on Friday.

 

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"They played really well, the wicket's really good so we can take some confidence out of that," the wicketkeeper - who held three chances on Thursday, including a fine-one handed grab to oust Stoneman - told BT Sport .

"We probably let ourselves down with our catching a bit but credit to England, they've had a good day.

"It's probably a sign that we didn't quite hit our lengths if I'm diving around. We're confident tomorrow we can take two quick wickets, and we've seen what we can do to their bottom four.

"That can turn this game really quickly."

Paine hails Hazlewood

Paine paid tribute to Hazlewood for his excellent post-lunch spell to Stoneman, which saw the England opener dropped by Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Lyon either side of a fierce bouncer that crashed into his grille.

Stoneman was dismissed soon afterwards in somewhat contentious circumstances when third umpire Aleem Dar overturned the on-field not-out decision - despite replays appearing inconclusive - after the left-hander gloved a Starc bouncer behind.

"He's renowned for his accuracy and bounce, but his pace has been really good. That spell to Stoneman was as good as you'll see," Paine said of Hazlewood, before revealing there was no question in Australia's minds over Stoneman's wicket.

"Straight away we thought it was out, without doubt. We were pretty confident it was out."