England's fading hopes of saving The Ashes will go into the final day of the third Test after rain brought an early end to day four.

The adverse weather and a fifty from James Vince have pushed the game into day five, but Australia are in complete control of the Test.

Steve Smith (229no) continued his imperious form with his second Test double hundred and highest Test score as the hosts advanced to 549-4 at stumps, a lead of 146.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh (181no) marked his return to the Australia side by scoring his maiden Test century on his home ground.

Australia declared on 662-9 in their first innings, a lead of 259, and England were required to bat for the best part of five sessions to save the match but Mark Stoneman, Alastair Cook and Joe Root were bowled out cheaply.

The tourists were then steadied by Vince, who made his second Test half-century, before he succumbed to a great delivery from Mitchell Starc.

England had reached 132-4, still 127 behind their opponents, when the weather intervened at the Waca as heavy showers arrived 45 minutes before the scheduled close.