Australia one wicket away from regaining Ashes

PERTH, Dec 18 (Reuters) Australia were just one wicket away from regaining the Ashes after England fell to 349 for nine at lunch on the final day of the third test at the WACA today.

England started the fifth day on 265 for five and hoping for a day of attrition to keep the series alive, but lost four wickets in 33 balls to reach lunch facing a third defeat in as many matches.

Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne triggered the collapse when he bowled England captain Andrew Flintoff for 51 to break a breezy 75-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen.

The quick-thinking Ricky Ponting then ran out Geraint Jones for his second duck of the match. The England wicketkeeper was awaiting the umpire's response to an lbw appeal when the Australian skipper broke his stumps.

Sajid Mahmood made four when he was trapped leg before wicket by seamer Stuart Clark then Warne dismissed Steve Harmison lbw for a golden duck to claim his 698th test wicket.

Pietersen survived a close run-out call on 46 that was referred to the video umpire to reach the interval unbeaten on 59 with last man Monty Panesar on one.

England beat Australia 2-1 at home last year but face the prospect of handing the urn straight back after just 15 months -- the shortest reign in the 124-year history of the Ashes.

The tourists made a bright start to the final day when Pietersen and Flintoff were at the crease, with the pair scoring quickly but with plenty of risk despite England's position.

Flintoff smashed eight fours, and a six off paceman Brett Lee, but his effort ended when he was deceived by a Warne full toss that hit his off stump and effectively ended England's last chance of an unlikely victory.

REUTERS SAM RN1041