PERTH, Feb 1: England's elation turned lo despair yet again as fast bowler Craig McDermott ran

riot on the first day of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes scries here Friday, reports AFP.

In one of Ihe great bowling performances of Test cricket, the 25-ycar-old Queenslander Grabbed eight for 97. sending the tourists plunging from a handsome three for 191 to an all-out first innings total of 244.

England look some comfort from the dismissal of opening batsman Geoff Marsh in Australia's first innings for only one run.

The home side ended the day on one for 19. At the crease were Mark Taylor and David Boon with nine apiece.

McDermott became only the eight Australian bowler to capture eight wickets In at innings in an Australian-England Test.

Only one Australian player has gained a better haul — Arthur Malley, who took 9-121 In Melbourne In the 1920-21 season.

Ironically, McDermott was taken out of the attack earlier in the innings, even though he dispatched England captain Graham Gooch (13) and hls co-opener Mike Atherton (27) In the opening session.

But early in the afternoon a desperate Allan Border was forced to rest McDermott as Ihird-wickct pair Allan Lamb and Robin Smith slammed him all over the field.

Ills first five overs after lunch cost 35 runs, with one over alone yielding 13 runs.

Lamb and Smith appeared to have set England on course lo a formidable total when the score reached 2 for 191 almost half an hour before tea.

But McDermott struck againsl Smith (58), who had figured in an aggressive 14 1 run partnership with Lamb.

Lamb, seemingly set for hfs 14lh Test century, was out for 91 in the first over after lea as he tried to pull a short ball from Me Dermott.

McDermott, with 3-80 at one stage, then picked up his next five wickets for 17 runs.

Al one stage he captured four for eight in 12 deliveries, including the wickets of Phil De Freitas and Phil Newport from successive deliveries.

Merv Hughes gave McDermott excellent support, finishing wilh two for 49.

Afterwards McDermott said: 'Though I got eight wickets, I still have a lot of work lo do before. I am happy. The work 1 have done during the winter has helped me to bowl long spells."

Lamb's knock included 13 boundaries and one six. while Smith hammered nine fours and one six.

When Australia batted.