Another spectacular batting collapse and a series of fielding blunders left England facing humiliation in the second Ashes Test.

Put into bat by Australian captain Mark Taylor, England were dismissed for 112 - their lowest-ever score in a Perth Test, eclipsing the previous low of 123 in the 329-run fifth Test defeat here three years ago.

But to compound the disappointment at their feeble batting display - despite strengthening their line-up by fielding seven batsmen - England dropped three catches before the close and allowed Australia to reach 150 for three.

Taylor surprised the tourists right from the start by electing to field after winning won the toss despite history suggesting that the WACA pitch was notoriously difficult to bat on last.

That decision was soon vindicated, however, with Damien Fleming claiming a career-best five for 46 and Glenn McGrath taking his Ashes wickets tally to 52 in ten Tests by grabbing three for 37 including Michael Atherton for the 12th time in nine matches.

Only three batsmen, Alec Stewart, Mark Ramprakash and debutant Alex Tudor, displayed anything like the application required to succeed on a seaming, bouncy wicket or a similar determination which marked Australia's reply.

Swing bowler Fleming, preferred to Michael Kasprowicz in the Australian line-up, made the vital early breakthrough by inducing opener Mark Butcher into edging behind to wicketkeeper Healy for the first of five catches during the innings.

McGrath then rolled over Atherton, Nasser Hussain and captain Stewart in a seven-over spell before Jason Gillespie, rolled over John Crawley and Graeme Hick who were drafted in to strengthen the batting.

The lunch break failed to improve England's fortunes with Fleming claiming the last four wickets.

His victims included Mark Ramprakash after he had battled for 97 minutes to make 26 and withstood a blow to the jaw by McGrath which required stitches.

England's struggles were put into contrast when Australia replied with Taylor and Michael Slater both enjoying reprieves with further fielding lapses which allowed both batsmen to escape and denied the tourists opportunities to make amends for their earlier failures.

Slater escaped on 15 when he drove Darren Gough straight to Ben Hollioake at gully, who was filling in for Ramprakash while he had treatment for his jaw injury, and was dropped by Hick again at second slip to deny Tudor a first Test wicket on 25.

Gough gained revenge and ended a spirited 81-run partnership spanning 25 overs when Slater edged to Butcher at third slip for 34 and off-spinner Ramprakash had Justin Langer caught at short leg attempting to sweep.

But Taylor, given a reprieve when Hick dropped a far more comfortable chance at second slip off Gough again when he had progressed to 38, completed his half-century with a drive through mid-wicket for the fifth boundary of his innings.

Dominic Cork ended his innings for 61 when Taylor edged an outswinger behind, but Mark Waugh and nightwatchman Gillespie guided Australia to the close without further loss.

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