England battling against history and other talking points ahead of third Ashes Test

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • England are up against it at the WACA.

    After a brief lull, the Ashes is ready to dominate cricket headlines in the next week with the third Test set to start at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) stadium in Perth from Thursday (6:30am UAE time).

    Hosts Australia have one hand on the urn after taking a 2-0 lead in the series at Adelaide as England wilted under the pressure.

    Here, we look at the key talking points ahead of the WACA Test which will be the final game at the historic ground with the new 60,000 Perth Stadium ready to take over.

    THE TOURISTS’ DISMAL RECORD AT THE WACA

    England will feel they missed a trick at the Adelaide Oval as it might very well have represented their best chance in the five Tests. With their bowling attack led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the pink-ball under lights in theory should have evened up the playing field for the visitors but their batting in the first innings cost them big.

    Their record at the WACA reads a sorry one win out of the 13 Ashes Tests they have played there. Their only win at the ground came all the way back in 1978 when the John Michael Brearley led tourists beat Graham Yallop’s Australia by 166 runs.

    That they have lost their last seven Tests at Perth on the trot by huge margins will bear no comfort to Root and his men either.

    England have not fared well at the WACA.

    England have not fared well at the WACA.

    AUSTRALIA SET FOR MITCHELL MARSH GAMBIT

    With the WACA pitch traditionally being a fast bowler’s paradise with its famous pace and bounce, the Australian selectors seem inclined to favour Shaun Marsh’s younger brother Mitchell as the fifth-bowler option.

    With Peter Handscomb struggling for runs in the middle, Steve Smith might be pushed to include Marsh as an extra bowling option on the back of his impressive Sheffield Shield performances this season which has seen him being recalled to the side ahead of the third Test.

    The Australian skipper hinted at the pre-match press conference that an extra bowler might be the way to go on a flat WACA track.

    Mitchell Marsh looks set to get the nod over Peter Handscomb.

    Mitchell Marsh looks set to get the nod over Peter Handscomb.

    ENGLAND SEEK TO BANISH OFF-FIELD WOES

    While their performances so far in this tour have been nothing to write home about, England’s off-field alcohol-related incidents have given the Aussie media plenty of ammunition.

    The Ben Stokes saga much before the tour had even begun had cast a dark cloud over the tourists’ visit. The Jonny Bairstow-Cameron Bancroft ‘head-butting’ incident which came to light after the first Test did not help matters for England either.

    With Ben Duckett the latest to bring out the headlines with his pouring of a glass of beer over James Anderson’s head, England’s drinking culture has become the centre of attention.

    In the past few days, Root, Moeen Ali and former skipper Michael Vaughan have all spoken about the need for the visitors to contain this problem. With three Tests still to go, it remains to be seen if England can manage to stay out of the headlines for the wrong reasons.’

    Jonny Bairstow's 'head-butting' incident was highly discussed in the media.

    Jonny Bairstow’s ‘head-butting’ incident was highly discussed in the media.

    AUSTRALIA ON VERGE OF BECOMING KINGS OF THE ASHES

    Since its origins all the way in the 1884-85, England had been the dominant side in the 19th century. However, the last century has belonged to the Aussies primarily who have done well to catch up with England and more.

    After their 5-0 win Down Under in 2013-14, the Aussies had moved ahead on the series wins count with 32 wins compared to 21 from England.

    England levelled up on that front with their 3-2 win at home in 2015. With a 32-32 tie at the moment, Smith’s men have the chance to take the series win and the all-time bragging rights once again at the WACA.

    Steve Smith and his men can take the bragging rights with the series win.

    Steve Smith and his men can take the bragging rights with the series win.

    ENGLAND STARE AGAINST HISTORY

    Only once in the entire history of the Ashes has a team come from 2-0 down to win the series. That the instance happened nearly 80 years ago in 1936-37 shows the enormous task at hand for Joe Root’s men when they take their place at the WACA on Thursday.

    It was the legendary Sir Don Bradman who had led Australia’s famous comeback in that series with two double hundreds and a century in the final three Tests. England will require someone to stand up with the same caliber if they are to turn this around.

    Joe Root and his men have their task cut out ahead of the third Test.

    Joe Root and his men have their task cut out ahead of the third Test.

    Recommended