Back to the serious stuff

The WACA at noon today

Less than 24 hours now until the start of the Third, and possibly decisive, Test match in Perth.

The possible outcomes are crystal clear:
(1) If England win again, then they go 2-0 up in the series and the Ashes are retained.
(2) If Australia win, then it's back to 1-1 and all to play for in Melbourne and Sydney.
(3) If it's a draw, that would be a bit dull but still very much in England's favour, as the Aussies would then need to win both of the last Tests to win back the Ashes.

No wonder Ricky Ponting was talking up Australia's chances at yesterday's press conference. This could be his last chance. If England win here, he will have lost 3 out of 4 Ashes series to England as captain and one of the Barmy Army's favourite Punter taunts may well come true: "Morning, you're getting sacked in the morning".

Down at the WACA today, the England squad again looked mean and focused as they took fielding practice very seriously in the heat of the noonday sun. By contrast, the Australian players were coming and going in dribs and drabs. Just a snapshot at a moment in time but maybe a telling one. A good smattering of England supporters were in the ground to soak up the pre-match atmosphere, among them current Perth Glory striker Robbie Fowler and famous ballroom dancer Darren Gough.

The smart money here is on Tim Bresnan to replace Stuart Broad as the one (enforced) change to England's line-up. Broad's injury is a shame in many ways, not least because his BA song was one of my favourites from Adelaide: "He's big, he's bad, he's better than his Dad*, Stuart Broad, Stuart Broad". 


Wishful thinking from the WACA scoreboard operators

Despite the chaos in which the Australian team and selection policies currently find themselves, I have a sneaking suspicion that they will put up a much better fight here in Perth. I also cannot see England playing quite as well as in Adelaide. I predict another low first innings score on a lively pitch on Day 1 - which makes winning the toss key.

* Stuart Broad's Dad is of course Chris Broad, currently a Test match referee but formerly an England opening batsman who scored some big hundreds against Australia in the 1980s.