The lanky Delhi pacer captured the first three wickets to fall as ACT XI took tea at 187 for five.

Ishant's spell of six overs should see his name penciled in for the Perth Test, with the WACA pitch known to be assist pace and bounce.

Western Australian Chris Rogers, in line for a call-up to the Australian team if Matthew Hayden does not recover in time for the third Test, did his cause no harm with an innings of 60 off 92 balls which had five hits to the fence.

His namesake John was unbeaten on 57 at the tea break with wicketkeeper James Crosthwaite on two.

The opening combination of Chris Rogers and Ed Cowan resumed at 10 for no loss this morning and took the total to 41 before the latter played on to Ishant for 14.

Ishant then proceeded to trap J Dean leg before for a duck and had skipper Mark Higgs (1) caught behind when the batsman went for the pull shot.

Harbhajan Singh got into the act after lunch and got Chris Rogers lbw.

R P Singh also had Randall Starr lbw for 27 after he and John Rogers had added 74 for the fifth wicket.