PERTH, Australia (AP) — England bowled out Australia for a mediocre 268 on the opening day of the third Ashes Test at the WACA yesterday.

In reply, England were 29 without loss at stumps with skipper Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook set to resume the second day on 12 and 17 runs, respectively.

Swing bowlers James Anderson and Chris Tremlett snared three wickets each to send the Australian top order crashing after Strauss had put the home side in to bat first on a green-top pitch.

The situation could have been worse for Australia, who slumped to 69-5 just after lunch, but half-centuries from Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson enabled the hosts to post a decent total before being bowled out 30 minutes before stumps.

Still, England are well positioned to push for a victory that would see the tourists secure a successful Ashes defence, with Australia’s bowlers having struggled for wickets over the first two Tests. England won the second Test in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

Tremlett wasted no time in making an impact, bowling recalled Australian opener Phil Hughes for two with the last ball of the first over, and then having the out-of-touch Michael Clarke caught behind for four. He took 3-63 in 23 overs.

In between, James Anderson, 3-61, 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 two in the second over after lunch.

“It was a big step in my career,” said Tremlett, who has been out of internationals since playing in three Tests against India at home in 2007.

“There has been frustration on the way, and (I) worked hard to get back to where I want to be. I’ve grown up, and more experienced as a cricketer, and know my game a lot more. I am a better bowler than I was three years ago.”

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.

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.

Scoreboard

Australia 1st Innings

S Watson lbw b Finn 13

P Hughes b Tremlett 2

R Ponting c Collingwood b Anderson 12

M Clarke c Prior b Tremlett 4

M Hussey c Prior b Swann 61

S Smith c Strauss b Tremlett 7

B Haddin c Swann b Anderson 53

M Johnson c Anderson b Finn 62

R Harris b Anderson 3

P Siddle not out 35

B Hilfenhaus c Cook b Swann 13

Extras (3lb) 3

TOTAL (all out) 268

Overs: 76.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-17, 3-28, 4-36, 5-69, 6-137, 7-189, 8-201, 9-233, 10-268.

Bowling: Anderson 20-3-61-3, Tremlett 23-3-63-3, Finn 15-1-86-2, Collingwood 2-0-3-0, Swann 16-0-52-2.

England 1st Innings

A Strauss not out 12

A Cook not out 17

TOTAL (For no wicket) 29

Overs: 12.

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 4-2-5-0, Harris 4-1-16-0, Siddle 2-1-4-0, Johnson 2-1-4-0.

Toss: England

Umpires: M Erasmus, South Africa, B Doctrove, West Indies.

TV Umpire: A Dar, Pakistan. Match Referee: J Crowe, New Zealand

Series: England lead 1-0.