WACA hoodoo no concern to England
Third Ashes Test starts today:
Buoyant England will need to overcome a long hoodoo at the WACA as
well as an Australian side scratching for form if they are to retain the
Ashes in the third Test of the series starting today.
The tourists hold a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series after a thumping
innings victory in Adelaide following a draw in Brisbane, and a win in
Perth would guarantee they keep hold of the Ashes they won back in
England last year.
But England have a dismal record at a venue once famed for offering
unrivalled pace and bounce, with just one victory in 11 attempts, way
back in 1978 under skipper Mike Brearley.
Not daunted
Australia have won their past five Ashes clashes in Perth but England
coach Andy Flower said the side were not daunted by the weight of
history.
“England do have a poor record in Perth,” he said.
“One win in 11 and that was back in 1978 in World Series Cricket
days.
“We do recognise the challenge in front of us, and I think the guys
are excited about attempting to turn it around.”
Although the WACA has not boasted pace and bounce in recent years,
curator Cam Sutherland has been talking up the possibility of a lively
pitch with a healthy covering of grass.
Ruled out
England are expected to promote Chris Tremlett to replace fellow
paceman Stuart Broad, who has been ruled out for the rest of the series
with an abdominal strain.
Tremlett, who has played three Tests, is expected to be given the nod
ahead of Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad and play his first Test since
August 2007.
The towering Tremlett is expected to be suited to the WACA pitch and
has been in solid form in the tour games, with seven wickets at 25.43.
Flower said England’s preferred 11 was “pretty clear in our minds”
for the third Test, but would not be announced to the squad until
Wednesday.
He added that England’s draw against state side Victoria following
the euphoria of the second Test win in Adelaide was a timely “reality
check” for his team.
Disruptions
“They are all the sorts of disruptions that can come into a
professional sportsman’s preparation that could distract them. However,
this is just one of the things he has to deal with.”
Australia will blood debutant spinner Michael Beer, who has played
just six first-class matches for 16 wickets. He will become the 10th
specialist spinner tried since Shane Warne retired in 2007.
All-rounder Steve Smith is also expected to come into the side, as is
swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, leaving first Test hat-trick hero Peter
Siddle and the embattled Mitch Johnson vying for the final place in the
attack, with Ryan Harris sure to be retained. AFP
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