ENGLAND are under the cosh again as Australia took a grip on the third Ashes Test in Perth.

Resuming on 51-2, chasing Australia's 244, England were skittled for 215 with the hosts 119-1 at stumps - a lead of 148.

England's hopes of claiming a lead was undermined with the 21st ball of the day with Paul Collingwood forcing Glenn McGrath to gully off the back foot.

The turning point of England's innings was perhaps seven overs later with the dismissal of opener Andrew Strauss, who had progressed impressively to 42 only to be given caught behind by umpire Rudi Koertzen off seamer Stuart Clark when television replays were inconclusive.

That exposed the middle order who once again failed to make much of an impression and this time became the unexpected victims of all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Former Lancashire star Symonds struck twice in three overs with his medium pace to remove England captain Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones to plunge the tourists firmly into trouble.

Symonds' spell of two for eight in four overs left Kevin Pietersen exposed with the tail, and although Sajid Mahmood and Matthew Hoggard resisted, the Hampshire strokemaker was unable to play with his natural attacking style.

It was not until he was joined by Harmison that Pietersen began to attack, hitting 15 off one over from Warne, although he was dropped over the rope for one of eight fours by McGrath on 53.

He responded to that reprieve by also driving Warne over extra cover for six, but his adrenaline-charged assault proved his downfall when he attempted to pull Lee but instead found Symonds' safe hands at long off.

When Pietersen fell, Australia had a healthy lead of 69 but discovered unexpected resistance from England's last pair who remained defiant for 40 minutes.

Clark eventually halted the innings with Harmison mis-timed an attempted drive and was caught in the deep for 23 to leave Panesar unbeaten on a useful 16.

Hoggard made instant inroads into the batting, bowling Justin Langer with the first ball of Australia's second innings.

But then Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting came together to edge Australiato healthy position at the close.