Ashes 2013: Steve Smith Century Puts Australia in Control on Day One

Australia are in a comfortable position after the end of first day's play during the third Ashes test at Perth. The hosts finished the day at 326 for the loss of six wickets.

Steve Smith (103*) scored a century to guide Australia past 300 runs as England bowlers didn't let their opposition gain the upper hand on the first day of the third Ashes Test match in Perth.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. They got off to an average start as England bowlers snatched wickets at frequent intervals. Chris Rogers smashed Stuart Broad for two consecutive fours but was sent packing on the very next ball.

Rogers (11) flicked Broad's delivery in to midwicket, but gave a moment's hesitation before calling for the run. James Anderson swooped quickly to recover the ball and hit the stumps before Rogers could make the non-strikers end.

David Warner combined with Shane Watson (18) to lift the Aussies beyond the 50 run mark. The all rounder then attempted a drive off Broad but edged the all in to the grateful hands of Graeme Swann in the second slip.

Skipper Michael Clarke stepped on the field in what was his 100th test match for his country. England Captain Alastair Cook who is also playing his 100th test match dived low in short midwicket to restrict Clarke at just score 24 runs off Swann's ball.

Warner continued his brilliant form with the bat as the left-handed opener completed his half-century. He was dismiised by Swann for 60. The opener was then followed by George Bailey, who could add seven more runs to the overall tally.

Brad Haddin (55) and Smith revived Australia's hopes as they struck a partnership of 124 runs. After 267 runs on the scoreboard, Haddin pulled the Ben Stokes' delivery towards midwicket where Anderson made no mistake in catching the ball.

With six wickets down, Smith and Mitchell Johnson chipped in a partnership of 59 runs with the latter scoring 39 runs smashing 8 boundaries in the process. Clarke will be pleased with their performance as they aim to make it 3-0.

The visitors could have done better like they had on the first day of the second test restricting the Aussies to less than 300 runs.

England will look to claim the next four wickets within a 100 runs, if they want to stand any chance of taking control of this test match; while Australia will look to give their opponents a target to sweat over at Perth.