The Ashes Recap: Australia claim 1-0 lead after remarkable turnaround in Perth

With Usman Khawaja unavailable, Australia have sprung a surprise, elevating Travis Head up to the top the batting order.

The South Australian has done the job in the subcontinent at Test level, but never in Australian conditions.

After again spending the back half of the second innings off the field, Usman Khawaja will once more not be permitted to open the batting.

Marnus Labuschagne was elevated from No.3 to open in the first innings but whether Australia go for that batting line-up again remains to be seen.

Interestingly, the ensuing shuffle after the loss of Khawaja forced debutant Jake Weatherald to face the first ball of the first innings, which he has a clear preference not to.

The left-hander - who has not taken strike first for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield this season - was duly pinned LBW by Jofra Archer without scoring.

Gus Atkinson’s luck has run out, picking out Brendan Doggett at fine leg off the bowling of Scott Boland to go for 37 to end his side’s second innings.

Boland finished with figures of 4-33 from 11.4 overs, while England’s No.8 managed his side’s top score.

Australia will begin a chase of 204 after tea.

ENG 164

Brendan Doggett now has a fourth wicket for the match, with Jofra Archer departing for five.

After smashing Doggett through the off side for four, Archer tried to repeat the trick but could only pop up a catch to Steve Smith at midwicket.

The Australian captain did not look settled under the ball but was able to complete the catch in front of the Barmy Army.

ENG 9-160

That’s a Bazball special.

Brydon Carse’s attempt to slap Brendan Doggett into the deep after backing away outside off stump only drew an edge gratefully accepted by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

But his 20 from the same number of balls could yet prove the difference.

Mitchell Starc has knocked over England’s best batters with ease with fuller balls but England’s tail-enders are finding the going much easier as he continues to bowl short.

Atkinson pulled a pair of sixes in that over, with his partnership with Carse now worth 50 as England’s lead approaches 200.

ENG 7-154

The eighth-wicket stand between England’s No.9 Brydon Carse and No.8 Gus Atkinson - who are both 20 not out - is now up to 34 from just 29 balls as Australia continue to try and bump them out.

In a low-scoring game, these runs could prove crucial.

ENG 7-138

With England having just three wickets remaining, Australian opener Usman Khawaja is again off the field.

The veteran - who has been battling stiffness and had a back spasm on day one - may need to make a quick return to give himself enough time in the field to open the batting.

In the first innings, Khawaja was forced down to No.4 due to his lengthy stint receiving treatment.

ENG 7-131

England’s No.9 Brydon Carse is having a dip.

The all-rounder has danced down the wicket to smash Scott Boland straight back down the ground for six, his second of the innings after an earlier top edge.

ENG 7-122

Veteran umpire Simon Taufel has had his say over the call which saw Jamie Smith sent on his way.

“For me, the correct decision was made,” Taufel told Channel 7.

“A spike on RTS (real-time snicko) after one frame past the bat, the batter has got to go.

“Unfortunately, he (the third umpire) didn’t want to pull the trigger quite as quickly as perhaps he could have or should have. And the guys in the truck were doing their utmost to show him and to slow it down and to try rocking and rolling that frame.”

ENG 7-114