PERTH, Dec 14: Ashes debutant Monty Panesar spun England back into the series on the opening day of the third cricket Test against Australia at the WACA Ground here on Thursday, claiming five wickets as the home side were dismissed for 244.

Needing at least a draw to keep their Ashes defence alive, the tourists were energised by the finger spin of Panesar and produced some of their best bowling of the series to dismiss the Australians cheaply after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat.The home side struck back late in the day to have England 51 for two at stumps, with Andrew Strauss on 24 and Paul Collingwood on 10.

The Australians removed opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell cheaply, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee picking up a wicket apiece, while Shane Warne dropped Collingwood at first slip off Stuart Clark late in the day.

Although local Mike Hussey held the Australian innings together with an unbeaten 74, Panesar grabbed 5-92 from 24 overs and a rejuvenated Steve Harmison took 4-48 to rock the home side's hopes of wrapping up the Ashes here.

Panesar, controversially overlooked for the first two Tests, claimed his third five-wicket haul in his short Test career and became just the fourth left-arm spinner to claim five wickets in a Test at the WACA.

With all the speculation about his recall, the spinner admitted he was nervous when called into the attack

Panesar was introduced into the attack just minutes before lunch, Panesar had an immediate impact and celebrated accordingly when he claimed opener Justin Langer's wicket with his seventh ball and the last delivery before the break.

Langer was clean bowled when he pushed forward defensively and played down the wrong line.

It was the start of an extraordinary day for Panesar.

Panesar took some damage from the recalled Andrew Symonds, who hit two sixes in three balls and took 17 runs off Panesar's 13th over.

However, the spinner had his revenge in the following over when Symonds cut at a shortish delivery and got a thin edge to wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, who snared the catch at the second attempt.

Panesar's next over saw him claim the prized wicket of Adam Gilchrist, who walked when he was caught without scoring by a diving Ian Bell at short-leg after the ball came off the pad and just brushed his gloves.

Australia then slumped to 214 for seven when Panesar struck again to remove an aggressive Shane Warne, who attempted to cut Panesar and got a fine edge into the gloves of Jones.

Panesar grabbed his fifth wicket when Brett Lee stretched forward and was adjudged lbw by umpire Aleem Dar.

While Panesar was the hero, the embattled Harmison bounced back strongly to pick up four wickets, including a sharp catch off his own bowling to remove the dangerous Michael Clarke for 37.

Harmison was under pressure after claiming just one wicket in the first two Tests, but claimed the crucial wicket of Australian captain Ricky Ponting and his second wicket was memorable – the big pace bowler somehow hauling in a Michael Clarke pull shot on his follow through.

Despite their batting woes, Hussey said the Australians had been lifted by the two late wickets.

He applauded the English for disciplined bowling and said the home side would need early wickets on the second day as he expects the pitch to become easier to bat on.

Scoreboard