England, cock-a-hoop after their victory in the second test in Adelaide last week come into this third test at the WACA in Perth hoping to secure the win that will see them retain the Ashes. They will do so however having lost key bowler/all rounder, Stuart Broad, who has been forced out of the tour following a nasty looking stomach muscle injury.
His absence means a change in the England attack with either one of Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad or Chris Tremlett coming in to replace him. These three will have the advantage of playing in the warm up game against Melbourne this weekend, where it looks likely that a straight shoot-out between the three will be the means in which the selection will be made.
England however in their wisdom have also released new ball bowler, Jimmy Anderson to return home to England to be present at the birth of his baby, a decision that many construe as naive. Anderson therefore will have to take two 24 hour flights within days of the test which could have serious repercussions for the team. A jaded Anderson will be nothing like the force he usually is meaning that England will hope that the baby is born sooner rather than later and that his return will be made in plenty of time for him to recover before 15th December.
As it stands the only England change anticipated is the replacement for Broad, but it has been mooted that Bresnan, who is a genuine all rounder should come into the side as the automatic replacement for Broad. His presence will undoubtedly stiffen the England tail and that either Shahzad or Tremlett also come into the side at the expense of Paul Collingwood, who is probably the only England batsman who is not in obvious good form. Obviously, wicket-keeper, Matthew Prior would move up the order to number six, with Ian bell being given the much more responsible number five berth, with Bresnan coming in at seven.
The other batting alternative that has been suggested is that Collingwood is replaced by Eoin Morgan, who could come in at number six, with Bell once again being given the number five spot.
England have not won a test match at the WACA since 1978, when they were led by Mike Brearley, since then they have drawn twice but have lost on their last five visits to Perth. A record that does not auger well, particularly against an Australian side that will be looking to make a big comeback following the second test defeat.
Australia too will need to make a couple of changes due to an Achilles injury suffered by opener Simon Katich and the ineffectiveness of spinner, Xavier Doherty. It would appear that Katich, who, like Broad for England, will be out for the rest of the series will be replaced by Phillip Hughes of New South Wales. Hughes was dropped after playing two Ashes tests in England in 2009, due to his inability to deal with England attack. Prior to that series however, he was being hailed as the Virender Sehwag of Australian cricket due to his very attacking approach to the game.
Should Hughes be selected alongside Shane Watson, then it would mean that Australia will use two very attack minded players to open the innings – which could of course play right into England’s hands! It seems certain that spinner, Nathan Hauritz will be recalled to replace Doherty.
In the ashes correct score betting an England 2-1 victory is the favoured outcome with three tests remaining, followed by England 2-0 and 3-0 wins, a quite unusual circumstance the England team finds itself in and one in which fans are hoping the expectation levels won't get to the team.
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