After Australia declared on 662-9, England lost their top four for 132 runs before the rain hit the Waca to see the visitors 127 behind.
The Ashes could see its first draw of the series, as England head into day five on 132-4 in their second innings.
The visitors will hope they can salvage a draw after a top-four collapse, with Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow hoping that they can keep England in the game by repeating their performance in the first innings which saw them string together 237.
The pair were on 28 and 14, respectively, by the close of play, with England looking to survive Australia’s bowling wrath. England will pray to the weather gods that some overs will be knocked off heading into the final day, while Australia will aim to wrap things up for an innings win.
Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh were both dismissed on career-best scores early on day four, Smith out on 239 and Marsh on 181, Australia on 560-6.
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It was Tim Paine (49*) and Pat Cummins (41) who brought misery to England, stringing together a 93-run partnership to help the hosts to their declaration total.
Josh Hazlewood struck early with a double to remove England’s openers for 32 runs. But James Vince dug in to take his side to the 100-run mark, after losing his captain with 60 on the board for 14. Vince scored 55 off 95 balls before he was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, England adding 34 before rain disrupted play.
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