Ashes: England on the brink of defeat

England lost skipper Alastair Cook for a golden duck today as Australia closed in on claiming the Ashes in Perth.

Cook was bowled as his team's mission improbable got off to a horror start at the WACA – set a world-record target of 504 to win the third Test.

A successful pursuit, after Shane Watson (103) and George Bailey had piled on England's agony to take Australia to 369-6 declared, was the only way they could stay in with any chance of a fourth successive Ashes series victory.

Bailey clubbed James Anderson for a world record-equalling 28 in one over before Michael Clarke ordered the declaration.

But after the instant shock of losing their captain, to a near unplayable first delivery of the innings from Ryan Harris which beat Cook on the defence and clipped the off bail, England showed some heart.

Michael Carberry and Joe Root responded in adversity with a stand of 62 for the second wicket, until the opener – for the second time in the match – was undone by a change of angle. This time, Watson went round the wicket and pinned him leg before on off stump.

Root continued to defend stoutly until he squeezed an edge behind from a very full Mitchell Johnson delivery, brilliantly caught by a diving Brad Haddin one-handed diving to his right.

DRS could not prolong Root's 88-ball vigil for just 19 runs.

Kevin Pietersen went when he holed out to Nathan Lyon looking for a six to bring up his 50.

Warwickshire's Ian Bell and newcomer Ben Stokes then put together a useful partnership to take England towards 200.