Moeen Ali claimed the only wicket to fall on the third day as England toiled with the ball against Australia in the third Test in Perth.
The Worcestershire all-rounder dismissed Shaun Marsh for 28 to leave Australia on 248-4 in reply to England’s 403.
Marsh was safely pouched by England Test skipper Joe Root at slip.
But that was the end of Moeen and England’s success as former Worcestershire T20 player and Aussie captain Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh piled up the runs.
The fifth wicket pair added an unbroken 301 in 77 overs as Australia closed on 549-4 – a lead of 146.
Smith ended unbeaten on 229 from 390 balls with one six and 28 fours and Marsh on 181 not out from 234 balls with 29 fours.
Moeen ended the day with figures of 31-4-101-1.