Aussies urn back the Ashes
Bairstow shook his head and smiled as if to reference the unplayable nature of the conditions, but Hazlewood was having none of that and roared down the pitch to celebrate as Australia looked to lift.
An over later Hazlewood hit the giant crack that lay adjacent to the soft patches and the ball deviated 6.14 degrees from the point of impact and ended up a Steve Harmison-like distance to the left of the first slip.
If England was asking questions about whether the pitch was dangerous or altered, then the two balls from Hazlewood wouldn’t have helped satisfy their complaints.
After rain interruptions right up until 1pm, the rain finally stayed away and Australia immediately got to work on claiming the six wickets that would win back the urn they lost in England two and a half years ago.
Nathan Lyon trapped bunny Moeen Ali plumb lbw when there was no turn to click things into gear.
When Hazlewood managed to sneak an edge down the leg-side from a brave Dawid Malan (54) the fight was virtually over.
Pat Cummins, who barely pitched a ball up all day, removed Stuart Broad, who had little idea about a short one whizzing past his chin and edged behind.
Then Cummins ripped in first ball to No.11 James Anderson and struck him viciously on the helmet, leaving a visible mark on his neck. Play stopped as the Australians ran to his aid.
Anderson padded up again but the end was nigh, with Cummins finishing the job by taking the edge of Chris Woakes sparking huge celebrations.
Controversy marred the final day with the wet pitch creating a nightmare scenario for the WACA and its curator Matt Page – soon on his way to take over duties at the MCG.
Incredibly there was no explanation from officials about what had actually happened.
However, the final day theatre could not take away from the dominance by Australia in this third Test.
A mammoth first innings total of 9 (dec)-662 – chasing England’s first up 403 – simply blew the visitors out of the water.
Smith’s blazing knock of 239 coupled with Mitchell Marsh’s maiden Test century had set up a famous result.