England's bowlers fire to leave Australia struggling

PERTH, Dec 14 (Reuters) England picked up three early wickets, including the prized scalp of Ricky Ponting, to leave Australia struggling at 69 for three at lunch on the first day of the third Ashes test today.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison trapped Ponting leg before wicket for two after Matthew Hoggard made the initial breakthrough to dismiss Matthew Hayden for 24 then left-arm spinner Monty Panesar bowled Justin Langer for 37 with the last ball before lunch.

Panesar was controversially overlooked for Ashley Giles in the first two tests but made an immediate impact when he was finally called up, dismissing Langer with the first ball of his second over after Australia had won the toss and elected to bat first on a bright and sunny day at the WACA.

Australia had made a flying start with Langer and Hayden scoring at almost a run a minute for the first three-quarters of an hour before England struck twice in quick succession to put the brakes on.

Hoggard, England's most successful bowler in the first two tests, got rid of Hayden with the total on 47 when he found the edge and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones held a routine catch.

Ponting was named man of the match in each of the first two tests after scoring 447 runs at an average of 149 but failed to get going this time after Harmison got him early.

PERFECT TIME The big Durham speedster had only taken one wicket in the previous two tests after losing his rhythm but rediscovered his line and length at the perfect time to trap Ponting cheaply with the total on 54.

Harmison, who took 1-9 from seven impressive overs, was unlucky not to get a second wicket when Langer nicked one behind to Andrew Flintoff at second slip but the English skipper failed to hold a difficult one-handed catch low to his right.

Langer was on 28 at the time but added just nine more to his score when Panesar snuck one past his defence and rattled his stumps.

Mike Hussey was unbeaten on two with Michael Clarke expected to join him at the crease in the second session.

Hussey and Clarke were moved up the order following last week's shock retirement of Damien Martyn and the inclusion of all-rounder Andrew Symonds in the side.

England made two changes to the team that lost the first two tests with Panesar replacing the ineffective Giles and seamer Sajid Mahmood taking the place of James Anderson.

The hosts lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide, and victory in Perth would see the Ashes back in Australian hands after England captured the urn with a 2-1 series win in 2005.

REUTERS PM DS1115