Cricket-Rain delays final day of Perth Ashes test

By Ian Ransom

PERTH, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Rain delayed the start of day five of the third Ashes test at the WACA on Monday, with England 132 for four, still 127 runs shy of making Australia bat again.

Heavy showers fell in Perth overnight and had apparently seeped onto the wicket, prompting groundstaff to use leafblowers to try to dry out a damp patch at the southern end.

Day five was scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) but no adjusted start time had been confirmed.

England are 2-0 down after losses in Brisbane and Adelaide and need at least a draw to keep the five-test series alive when it shifts to Melbourne.

Australia said earlier on Monday they had an injury concern over Mitchell Starc, with the pace spearhead sustaining a bruised heel but was fit to bowl.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)