third test, day two

1229: England might have actually plumbed new depths. That might have been even worse than the collapse in Adelaide. At least the Aussies bowled well there.

Here, they didn't have to. England's top order were only too happy to hand over their wickets to anyone who decided to have a trundle.

The really frustrating thing is that there really isn't that much between the sides. Australia have just better identified the crucial passagesof play and won every single won thus far. DT

0440: Any sense of renewed optimism that England could claw their way back into this series has well and truly vanished on a dreadful morning for the tourists.

The real tragedy is the fact Australia didn't even bowl spectacularly like they did in Adelaide.

Here in Perth it's simply been enough to chuck the ball up there and wait for England batsmen to give their wickets away in the cheapest fashion possible. The only one with any defence is Strauss after another dreadful umpiring decision, but his shot was awful.

It's hard to know what the England batsmen were doing yesterday, because they obviously neglected to watch Mike Hussey's batting.

Shameful and embarrassing stuff from England, who need some magic from Pietersen after lunch to get up somewhere close to Australia's 244.