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Australia close in on Ashes glory as England push third Test into fifth day

Australia edge closer to Ashes glory, but are forced into a fifth day at The WACA as England close the day on 251-5 in Perth.

Australia are just five wickets away from regaining The Ashes, but will have to wait until tomorrow after England pushed the third Test into a fifth day.

Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson celebrates with teammates after dismissing England batsman Joe Root on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match in Perth on December 16, 2013© Getty Images

The hosts dominated The WACA once again after taking 134 runs off 17 overs this morning, with Shane Watson reaching a century in the innings.

Captain Michael Clarke ordered his team to declare on 369-6, leaving England with a mountain to climb, but they were dealt a heavy blow when skipper Alastair Cook was dismissed for a golden duck by Ryan Harris.

Michael Carberry (31) and Joe Root (19) swiftly followed, leaving Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell with the task of keeping the tourists' hopes alive.

The pair improved on England's run-rate, but Pietersen was eventually sent packing when Harris caught the ball at long-on from Nathan Lyon's bowl.

With play going in Australia's favour, Bell and his new partner at the crease, Ben Stokes, gave England slight optimism by finding their rhythm and frustrating the hosts' bowlers, who, though, finally found the breakthrough.

Clarke used his final review after thinking that an edge from Bell had been missed by the referee, and it was worth taking as Snicko showed just that, resulting in Bell's dismissal on 60.

Despite losing their fifth wicket, England continued to push on with Stokes, who reached his first Test half-century with a straight drive for four.

Stokes (72) and Matt Prior (5) will resume at the crease tomorrow morning on 251-5.

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Australian batsman David Warner celebrates making his 100 runs on the third day of the third Ashes cricket Test match against England in Perth on December 15, 2013
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