Ben Stoke's maiden Test century has kept England's hopes of retaining The Ashes alive.

Australia are still the favourites to win in Perth and move 3-0 ahead in the best-of-five series, having dismissed Matt Prior for 26 on day five.

However, England have reached lunch just 171 runs behind on 332-6, with Stokes (117*) and Tim Bresnan (7*) looking good in the middle.

England started the day on 251-5 and did well to add 25 runs before the new ball was taken without hesitation.

Another 20 runs were added before Mitchell Johnson got rid of Prior, who edged to Brad Haddin.

Prior's exit did not unsettled Stokes, as he continued to attack and brought up his century when he top-edged Johnson through fine-leg for four.

The Durham all-rounder reached lunch having hit 18 fours, as well as one brilliant six over long-on off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.