Ashes 3rd Test Preview

England go into tomorrow’s Ashes test in Perth, knowing that a win would see them retain the famous urn.

Australia on the other hand, are near to rock bottom after failing to impress during the first two tests and desperately need a win to blow the series wide open once again.

Captain Ricky Ponting has said that they deserve the criticism. He told the BBC: “Whatever criticism has come my or the team's way in the last few weeks has been warranted, we haven't put results on the board,"

He added: "We haven't played a level of cricket which is going to have people writing great things about us."

Australia are expected to make several changes ahead of the test. Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus are likely to be recalled in search of finding any way to break England down. They will likely form a four-man pace attack along with Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris, as they go on the offensive.

The Perth pitch is thought to favour fast bowlers but Australia have to improve immensely in the bowling department as the five fast-bowlers they’ve used have only taken 12 wickets between them so far.

It’s been a strange few weeks for the Aussies. The public weren’t exactly confident going into the series but calls for the returns of legends, Shane Warne and Brett Lee, strike of desperation.

England will want to get the job done in Perth. An unassailable lead would be a welcoming early Christmas present for the tourists.

They will have to do it without all-rounder Stuart Broad, who will miss the rest of the tour through injury, but the camp received a boost hearing that Jimmy Anderson will be ready for the test. The paceman has returned after attending the birth of his second child, and says he’s ready despite the jet-lag.

He told BBC 5 Live: “Everything's great, it was nice to get back in time for the birth and obviously a bit strange leaving after a couple of days but everything is good.”

He added: "I stayed on Australian time while I was in England which I think has worked well. I got back to Perth last night and got about nine hours sleep so I'm feeling pretty good."

Captain Andrew Strauss backed Anderson to do well in Perth in a press conference. He said: “He has brought back that slightly euphoric feeling with him.”

England are set to call-up Chris Tremlett to replace Stuart Broad in the bowling attack, although Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shazhad are also vying for contention. Tremlett should get the nod, due to his height getting extra bounce on the pitch.

With Broad out, there is a lot more pressure on young bowler Steven Finn but if he performs well with the ball, England could well be retaining the Ashes down under for the first time in 24 years.

Female First - Chris Mayer