PERTH : Half centuries from Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson helped Australia recover to 268 after a top order collapse on day one of the third Test at Perth on Thursday.

Earlier, England continued to make inroads into Australia's first innings despite half centuries by Hussey and Haddin alleviating another woeful start by the hosts.

Australia went to tea at the WACA Ground on 179-6, with Haddin on 52 and Mitchell Johnson on 25. The hosts had been 69-5 shortly after lunch.

England offspinner Graeme Swann ended a 68-run sixth-wicket partnership, dismissing Hussey for 61. Umpire Billy Doctrove initially gave Hussey not out, but England challenged and a video review showed Hussey did get an edge through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Fast bowler Chris Tremlett celebrated his Test recall with 3-41 as he sent the Australian top order crashing, justifying skipper Andrew Strauss' decision to send the home side in to bat first on a green-top wicket.

Tremlett, 29, replaced the injured Stuart Broad in England's only change to the side that won the second Test in Adelaide. He wasted no time in making an impact, bowling recalled Australian opener Phil Hughes for 2 with the last ball of the first over, and then having the out-of-touch Michael Clarke caught behind for 4.

In between, James Anderson claimed the prized scalp of Ricky Ponting for 12 when the Australia captain was brilliantly caught at third slip by Paul Collingwood, who flung himself to his right at third slip and held on to a one-handed catch.

Ponting, whose scoring shots were three boundaries, hung his bat out at a James Anderson delivery, and another brief innings will increase pressure on the captain to keep his place in the team.

Tremlett deepened Australia's problems when he removed Steve Smith for 2 in the second over after lunch.

Hussey and Haddin, who also batted Australia out of trouble in the first test, counter-attacked effectively. Hussey hit a six and nine fours as he continued with his imperious form with the bat. With other scores of 195, 93 and 52, he has been Australia's standout batsman of the series.

Haddin, another batsman in form, hit a six and six fours up to tea, while Johnson's innings included five boundaries.

Earlier, opener Shane Watson, who batted for over an hour for his 13 runs off 40 balls, failed to have a lbw decision overruled by video review. He had an earlier reprieve when he was given out caught down the leg-side off Anderson, but the on-field decision was overruled by third umpire Aleem Dar.

Australia took 23 overs to score 50 runs as the England bowlers exploited the bowler-friendly conditions.

England leads the five-Test series 1-0 and can ensure it retains the Ashes by winning this Test.

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