But Australia hit back immediately with Damien Fleming taking three quick wickets to leave England at 19-3 at tea.

Mark Butcher was caught at third slip by Ricky Ponting for one with only five runs on the board before Nasser Hussain was given leg-before also for one and Alec Stewart was caught by captain Mark Taylor for nought.

An extraordinary spell

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From 194-4 at lunch a superb spell of bowling from England tore through the Australian batting order to leave the home side stunned.

Newcomer Alex Tudor made the important breakthrough - claiming the scalps of both Waugh brothers to secure his first Test wickets.

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Both batsmen had frustrated England before the break, but 21-year-old Tudor dismissed both Mark and Steve Waugh in the opening overs of the second session.

Alec Stewart (left) congratulates Alex Tudor on his superb spell

Having sent three consecutive deliveries to the boundary, Steve Waugh was then clean-bowled by Tudor with a quick delivery, which cut back smashing the top of his middle-stump.

Brother Mark was next to go - caught by Butcher after an away-swinging delivery that tempted him into a suicidal shot.

The wickets were undoubtedly well deserved by England who bowled tightly during the morning's play.

Darren Gough, particularly, had bowled well - without any reward - but he did not have to wait much longer.

Ian Healy was caught leg before - unusual at the WACA - for 12, before Fleming was caught by Graeme Hick at second slip for a duck.

Tudor then dismissed Ricky Ponting, caught behind for 11 - before finishing off by pitching the ball up to Glenn McGrath who topped an easy catch to Dominic Cork.

Tight session

Resuming 38 runs ahead on 150 for three having dismissed England for a lowly 112, Australia added just 44 runs in the morning session off 30 overs to reach 194 for four at lunch.

Both Gough and Mullally produced superb bowling spells, but England were unable to break up the stubborn fourth wicket partnership between Mark Waugh and nightwatchman Jason Gillespie for 15 overs.

Mullally finally made the breakthrough after Gillespie had laboured for 85 minutes to make 11, beating the Australian fast bowler with an inswinger which straightened out and induced an edge behind to wicket-keeper Stewart.

Scorecard:

England first innings: 112

England Second innings:

M Butcher c Ponting b Fleming 1
M Atherton not out 15
N Hussain lbw Fleming 1
A Stewart c Taylor b Fleming 0
M Ramprakash not out 0

Extras: 1
Total:(for 3 wickets 13 overs) 18

Australia first innings:

M Taylor c Stewart b Cork 61
M Slater c Butcher b Gough 34
J Langer c Crawley b Ramp'kash 15
M Waugh c Butcher b Tudor 36
J Gillespie c Stewart b Mullally 11
S Waugh b Tudor 33
R Ponting c Stewart b Tudor 11
I Healy lbw b Gough 12
D Fleming c Hick b Gough 0
A Miller not out 3
G McGrath b Tudor c Cork 0

Extras: 24
Total: (all out 89.2 overs) 240

Fall: 1-81 2-115, 3-138, 4-165, 5-209, 6-214, 7-228, 8-228, 9-239.

Bowling: Gough 25-9-43-3; Cork 21-5-49-1; Tudor 20.2-5-89-4; Mullally 21-10-36-1; Ramprakash 2-0-12-1