England doomed to Ashes defeat as Australia take control

England have all but lost their their grip on the Ashes after Australia built up a huge lead on the third day of the third test.

Already 2-0 up in the series, Australia look certain to win back the Ashes in just three tests after establishing a 359 run lead at the Waca in Perth.

The hosts are as short as 1/16 to secure the series win by the conclusion of the third test having bowled England out for 251 and then adding 235 to their first innings total of 385 to rack up what seems to be an unassailable lead.

Starting the day on 180-4, England showed little resistance to the Australia attack, with Tim Bresan’s knock of 21 the biggest total aside from the openers.

David Warner hit a typically carefree and impressive 122 for Australia and England’s struggles can be summed up by the fact that Matt Prior missed an easy chance to stump Warner when he was on just 13 runs – that he went on to score a further 99 runs just rubbed salt into the wounds.

With just three wickets lost, Australia’s position could not be more commanding and England’s embarrassment is about to become as final as it has been painful.

Not even the most optimistic members of the Barmy Army would be tempted by the 33/1 on England staging a miraculous recovery – even the draw, quoted at 8/1, now looks beyond England going into the fourth day.

With seven wickets in hand and two days to bowl out England on a pitch that is drying out and cracking up, Michael Clarke and co will want to get the job done and the fact you are getting 1/100 on Australia retaining the urn tells you how dominant the hosts have been – there aren’t going to be any takers for the 150/1 on England, nor for the draw at 50/1.

England’s batting thus far in the series does nothing to make you believe they are capable of digging in and seeing out the rest of the test from the crease for what will surely be the best part of a day and a half, and Alistair Cook will be looking to salvage some pride and avoid a repeat of the 2006/7 whitewash.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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