Summary

  • Australia win Ashes

  • Hosts take 3-0 lead in five-Test series

  • Victory sealed before tea on final day

  • Malan 54; Hazlewood 5-48

  • 'Damp patches' delay start by 3 hrs

  • Rain leaks through covers overnight

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance, Amy Lofthouse and Mandeep Sanghera

  1. Nothing more helpful of course than telling the groundstaff that their covers are inadequate after the pitch has got damp.

  2. Simon Hughes
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    I know England are concerned that it's all very well pushing your thumb in and the surface is going to be hard on top, but a 90mph delivery into that sort of surface is very different. It could or could not do something very unexpected.

  3. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Perth

    Ricky Ponting is having a quiet word with Steve Smith. I can't imagine he has experience of this sort of situation to pass on.

  4. Vic Marks
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    It looks like just a little flurry.

  5. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Here comes more rain...

  6. From the press box

  7. rain stops play

    Rain returns

    BBC Test Match Special

    It's back and lashing down again by the sounds of it. Loud as you like on the TMS mics.

    This is a masterclass in filling time by the way. Some broadcasters struggle given an unexpected, lengthy delay.

    The TMS team turn it into a showcase.

    Geoffrey Boycott is currently discussing the half-time team-talks of Sir Alex Ferguson...

  8. The Aussie press this morning was concentrating on Alastair Cook's future.

    Tomorrow's may be focusing on the future of the Waca groundsman...

    Daily Telegraph back pageDaily Telegraph

  9. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Perth

    It's grey again. It feels like more rain is coming.

  10. Vic Marks
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Steve SmithAFP

    Steve Smith is pressing his thumb in and probably saying: "I can't get it to move."

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

    I don't think they'll play until after lunch.

  12. Some chat on TMS now of playing every over from one end! Imagine that.

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

    I bet Lehmann is telling the umpires exactly that, and if he was England, he'd be the other way.

  14. 'We'll play'

    Darren LehmannGetty Images

    Australia coach Darren Lehmann, speaking to ABC: "It's improving so again, we'll wait for what the umpires say. There was a damp spot - only one small one, and one on the other side. It's not too bad. I'm sure the wind will dry it pretty quickly.

    "It's not ideal. You don't want these things to happen in Test match venues. That's the biggest problem.

    "I think it won't be long [until it's back to yesterday's conditions]. I think we'll get a lot of cricket in today. The wind is picking up and it's supposed to be ok this afternoon."

    "I think we'll play."

  15. Get Involved

    Text 81111

    I bet the Waca groundstaff will not be receiving Christmas cards from Steve Smith or Darren Lehmann after this.

    Elliott Scriven

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    We haven't had any proper rain for 45 minutes.

  17. When oil stopped play

    Heaidngley pitchGetty Images

    A fascinating story (see tweet at 02:30)

    Here's why play was halted in 1975 because of oil on the pitch.

    Campaigners calling for the release of robber George Davis from prison vandalised the pitch at Headingley.

    They dug holes in the pitch and poured oil over one end of the wicket. The walls surrounding the ground were also daubed with the slogans demanding the release of Davis, an east London minicab driver jailed for his part in an armed robbery.

    The third Test was abandoned as a draw and Australia went on to win the Ashes 1-0.

    Read how the BBC reported it at the time.

  18. View from the press box

  19. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Perth

    Just a thought, but why does the pitch have to be the same for both sides? If one day a team bats under bright sunshine and the next their opponents bat under clouds, the game still carries on.

  20. Out of context tweet of the year

    Barack KoalaGetty Images

    Michael Gallagher: How absorbent is the average koala?