Perth [Australia]: Opener Alastair Cook was dismissed cheaply in his 150th Test, but Mark Stoneman ensured that England progressed reasonably well to help them reach 91-2 at lunch on the opening day of the third Ashes match against Australia here on Thursday.
England skipper Joe Root won the third toss of the series and opted to bat first after the day one of the WACA Test was marred by match-fixing allegations in a UK newspaper.
The visitors made a poor start to their innings, losing opener Cook cheaply for seven runs. The former Test skipper lasted just 16 balls before being trapped lbw by fast bowler Mitchell Starc.
Stoneman and James Vince then steadied their side’s innings by sharing a 63-run stand before the latter was dismissed for just 25 runs.
At lunch, Stoneman was batting at 48 not out while Root was on one on a glorious day in Perth.
Besides Starc, Josh Hazlewood also chipped in with a wicket.
Australia are currently leading the five-match Ashes series 2-0 against England. They will regain the coveted urn if they win any of the final three remaining matches. (ANI)