Close Australia 351 (Warne 99, Langer 75, Martyn 60, Vettori 6-87) trail New Zealand 534-9 by 183 runs
Scorecard He's the greatest wicket-taker in Australian Test history, one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Century, and the man who revolutionised Test cricket in the 1990s. But one thing has always been missing from Warne's CV – a Test hundred – and on the third day of the third Test at the WACA he threw away the best chance he will probably ever get.

Warne was on 99 when he brainlessly slog-swept Daniel Vettori straight to Mark Richardson at midwicket. Like the bad guy in a pantomime Richardson held a smart catch, turned, and took a bow to a crowd who seconds earlier had been delirious, but were now distraught.

Warne's 157-ball innings was the highlight of another cracking day's play. When he came to the crease following Adam Gilchrist's third-ball duck, Australia were in real trouble at 192 for 6, still 143 short of avoiding the following-on. But Warne added 78 with Damien Martyn (60) and 72 with Brett Lee (17) as Australia faced following-on in a Test for the first time since 1988-89.

The dismissal of Warne was the last act of the day, and when New Zealand start their second innings tomorrow they will do so with a lead of 183. That would rule most sides out of contention, but not Australia. With two full days play ahead – the gloriously clear Perth skies suggest there is no chance of rain - either side could win this.

Australia resumed this morning on 75 for 2, and endured a torrid opening as, on the 69th anniversary of the start of the Bodyline series, the lively Chris Martin decided to pay homage to Harold Larwood and friends. He sent down a flurry of short stuff, and though Justin Langer and Mark Waugh just about survived that, the introduction of Vettori precipitated a breakthrough.

Mark Waugh was just moving into top gear with some trademark leg-side flips when he sliced a wider one from Vettori to Shane Bond at gully. He took an outstanding low catch, Waugh was gone for 42 an Australia were 122 for 3.

After scores of 3 and 0, Steve Waugh was due a big one, but Vettori, who had just been switched to the Members End by Fleming, got him with a superb delivery that drifted in, spun away and took the edge on the way to Adam Parore (137 for 4). Waugh made 8, and for the first time in 16 years he had made three successive single-figure scores.

Langer carried on meticulously to another half-century, and looked set for a fourth hundred in as many Tests when, on 75, he was strangled down the leg side as he gloved a pull off Chris Cairns (191 for 5). Langer even walked, but he might have stood his ground if he had seen a replay – Cairns clearly overstepped and a no-ball should have been called.

Three overs and one run later Gilchrist was on his way, caught at short leg as he prodded firmly at Vettori in a manner reminiscent of his struggles against Harbhajan Singh in India.

Australia were in real trouble, but Martyn showed his true colours for the first time in the series with a beautiful innings and he and Warne, who started very responsibly, got Australia back on track before tea.

Warne certainly rode his luck at times. He was dropped twice – one an absolute dolly to Nathan Astle at second slip on 10 – and replays suggested he should have been given caught behind off Martin on 80, but those scrapes aside he played very well. When Martyn went, slapping a short one from Cairns to gully (270 for 7), Warne took over the role of senior partner, cutting and driving with a flourish at every opportunity.

He saw Australia safely past the follow-on with a watchful Lee, and the partnership had reached an irksome 72 when Lee skewed a drive to short cover off Vettori and was given out by the third umpire after an interminable delay (342 for 8).

Warne's nerves were jangling when Jason Gillespie was beautifully caught by Parore off Vettori for a duck (346 for 9). At that point Warne had 94, with only arch-rabbit Glenn McGrath to come, and he knew he had to get on with it. The pressure proved too much for him.

Sympathy for Warne obscured the fact that Vettori had picked up 6 for 87, his fourth five-for in just eight Tests against Australia. He was superb. With flight, cunning and accuracy he made a mockery of the fact that overseas spinners have only taken 16 wickets in the last 14 Perth Tests. The pitch is biting, and Vettori will have every chance of making it ten for the match in the second innings. Who says only the quick bowlers can thrive here?

Teams

Australia 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Mark Waugh, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Damien Martyn, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Jason Gillespie, 11 Glenn McGrath

New Zealand 1 Mark Richardson, 2 Lou Vincent, 3 Mathew Sinclair, 4 Stephen Fleming (capt), 5 Nathan Astle, 6 Craig McMillan, 7 Chris Cairns, 8 Adam Parore (wk), 9 Daniel Vettori, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Chris Martin

Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.

Blow by Blow How the day unfolded: the long version

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