Unmovable Smith punishes England with second ton of series

Spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali removed Shaun Marsh for 28 before drinks, but home skipper Smith appeared impregnable as England's first innings lead was whittled down to 89 runs at a WACA bathed in sunshine.

Smith was 139 not out at the interval, having completed his 22nd test century, with recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh on a quickfire 39.

Two-nil down in the five-test series, England's hopes of claiming their first win at the WACA in nearly 40 years appear bleak with Smith in full control at the middle.

Rain may also play a part, with showers forecast in Perth on days four and five.

On day three, however, the fidgety home captain, who complied an unbeaten 141 in the opening test at the Gabba, made hay in the sunshine, keeping the score ticking over with a strike rate over 70.

Resuming on 92, with Australia 203 for three, he moved within a shot of his century with a sumptuous on-drive that threaded the needle between midwicket and mid-on to race for four.

Three balls later, he reached his seventh ton against England when he whipped Stuart Broad through the leg side for four.

He ripped off his helmet and raised both arms aloft, pirouetting and waving his bat at his team's dressing room as a big third-day crowd stood and roared in the terraces.

Smith's 17th boundary brought up his 1,000th run for the year, making him only the second player to reach the milestone in four consecutive years, with former Australia opener Matthew Hayden the first.

With Shaun Marsh also settling into his work, there appeared little England could do except change bowlers and hope, and against all expectation, the ploy worked when Joe Root brought on Moeen.

Marsh punched the spinner to the fence with authority in consecutive balls but was out with a bloodless poke at a third one that pitched outside the line and clipped the outside edge on the way to Root at slip.

Marsh's younger brother Mitchell joined Smith in the middle and after smashing James Anderson to the long-on fence, started taking to change bowler Chris Woakes and Broad with a gusto in the final overs.

Some 20 minutes shy of lunch, Smith gave a rare glimpse of his pads to James Anderson and Root reviewed for leg before more in desperation than hope.

The not out decision stood, however, with the technology tracking the ball well down the leg-side as it raced behind the wicket for four leg byes.