Summary

  • Smith 229*, M Marsh 181*

  • Fifth-wicket stand worth 301

  • Marsh's maiden Test century

  • England take only one wicket in day

  • Australia lead 2-0 in five-match series

  • Play starts at 02:30 GMT on Sunday

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance, Amy Lofthouse and Mandeep Sanghera

  1. Ticket for sale

    Text 81111

    Ticket for the MCG going on Boxing Day. Bound to be a great pantomime performance from the English, guaranteed laughs for all the family.

    Chris from Manchester

  2. Simon Hughes
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Mitch Marsh was an ordinary batsman. He averaged 21 before today. But Steve Smith had set him an almighty platform. This pitch is flat. It's like batting in the nets against a bowling machine.

    .Getty Images

  3. Get Involved

    Text 81111

    Each member of the 2010-11 touring side (unless they’re still in the team) should get a bonus from the ECB every time England lose a Test match in Australia. That achievement will look extra special in the midst of three whitewashes.

    Tom, Norwich

  4. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    This isn't the first England team to come here and struggle. It's not disrespecting that England side back in 2010, it's just real, to say they came up against an Australia side that was in transition and didn't have the bowling attack they do now. It's a common trend that when England come here, they lose. I think English cricket has to sit down and look at the basics of what is required to win on these wickets.

  5. Of all the sporting defeats it is possible to endure as a British sports lover, an Ashes whitewash may well be the worst. Just because of the time factor. Twenty-five days of dross.

    England haven't lost the series yet, or even this Test. But there's a familiar feeling in the air.

    .PA

  6. 'It's gone for England'

    Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It's gone. It has gone. England aren't winning this Ashes series. They'll find it very difficult to get out of this game without it raining.

  7. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Clare Thurston: Senior players have lost this series for England. Disgraceful!

  8. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    You can question England's tactics but I don't think they have the attack to take 20 wickets on these surfaces. This isn't anything we should be surprised by. The worry is that England only took one wicket. That's very rare.

  9. What's the weatherman saying?

    Not enough rain...

    Perth weather forecast

  10. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England have been found wanting. Many said before the series it was always going to be difficult with the lack of swing. When you're up against a player like Steve Smith who is hungry for runs, and then someone like Mitch Marsh who knows the wicket and is hungry to establish himself, it's hard.

  11. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Steve Smith has barely made a mistake. It's just a question of how much they want now for Australia.

  12. Get Involved

    Text 81111

    Losing a Test from 368-4 is an excellent effort. But to do it this spectacularly takes some doing. We’re arguably better at losing tests than we are at batting and bowling...

    Ben from Aviemore

  13. Steve Smith has batted all day to move on to 229*. Mitch Marsh looks absolutely spent, it's hot out there and he's batted nearly all day as well.

    Top, top, top, top effort.

    Steve Smith and Mitchell MarshGetty Images

  14. Close of play
    Breaking

    Australia lead by 146

    What a remarkable day.

    England take one wicket as Australia score 345 runs to all but win the Ashes, surely.

    Even more remarkable is the fact that England fans are doing a conga! That's the spirit.

    That's a 300-run partnership too between Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh.

  15. LAST OVER OF THE DAY.

    Nick two out here and it's game on...

  16. Aus 547-4

    Smith 228, M Marsh 179

    Four more to Steve Smith off the bowling of Moeen Ali, who is the fourth bowler to concede 100 runs in the innings.

  17. Brenda has her say on Smith

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  18. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    I bowled with the third new ball in Port Elizabeth. I was quicker than our bowlers, I can tell you. They weren't queuing up to take the ball. It's not funny when you have to take it. The bowlers are absolutely knackered.

  19. Dan Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    Tiny positives: England's over rate hasn't been terrible.

  20. Aus 540-4

    Smith 222, Marsh 179

    'Epically disastrous' may be the best summary so far.

    The third new ball is due in 10 overs. Steve Smith will get to keep it.

    Mitch Marsh has put seven on his batting average in a day!