Panesar puts Australia in spin on Ashes debut

Monty Panesar captured five wickets on his Ashes debut to help England bowl out Australia for 244 before struggling to 51 for two on the opening day of the third test yesterday.

Panesar claimed the scalps of Justin Langer (37), Andrew Symonds (26), Adam Gilchrist (nought), Shane Warne (25) and Brett Lee (10) to finish with the impressive figures of five for 92 from 24 overs and become the first English spinner to claim five wickets in a test innings at the WACA.

Panesar was controversially overlooked for the first two tests but was finally given his chance when the English selectors dropped the ineffective Ashley Giles. They also replaced seamer James Anderson with Sajid Mahmood.

Strike bowler Steve Harmison also rediscovered his form to take four for 48, including the prize wickets of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, as England's bowlers enjoyed their best day of the series.

Australia picked up two early wickets in the final hour before the close. Alastair Cook departed for 15 and Ian Bell for a second-ball duck, leaving Andrew Strauss (24 not out) and Paul Collingwood (10 not out) to battle through to stumps.

Australia are 2-0 up in the series.