The Ashes: Perth Preview

So we have finally had a bit of a break from the Ashes (well, sort of). There has hardly been any respite for both players and selectors alike. Since Adelaide, Australia have called up the unknown Michael Beer to their squad, a decision that has sparked much debate in Australia. They have also called other players into their squad however none sparked nearly as much controversy as this decision.

All that remains to be decided for Australia now is the make-up of their bowling attack. Will they go in with 4 quick bowlers (plus Smith and Watson)? Or will they opt for the untested Michael Beer? No-one really seems to know which way Australia will go. I don't think Australia really know yet either, such is the unsure nature of their side. It might just come down to how the pitch looks on the morning of the game. Ricky Ponting has already come out and said he may want to play 4 quicks and bowl first if it's a green top.

For the first time this series, England's preparation has not been as near to perfect as it had been before the first Test. Their leading bowler, Jimmy Anderson, has flown halfway around the world and back again in order to attend the birth of his second child (whilst he has insisted this will not affect him, it is hardly ideal preparation for a Test Match). Another leading bowler, Stuart Broad, has been ruled out of the series due to injury. This meant the tour match against Victoria at the MCG would be a bowl off between the three seamers vying for Broad's spot. They took one wicket between them in 76 overs, not the best way to stake a claim for a Test spot. Andy Flower described the experience against Victoria as a much needed reality check, which I thought was a pretty good spin on an overall quite negative performance (much better than we have heard on past tours for sure).

Despite England's troubles, I still feel they head to Perth as favourites. How could they not be after the mauling they handed out to Australia in Adelaide? Their entire batting line-up is in form after Matt Prior's hundred in the tour game. Despite the unsettled preparation of the bowling line-up, they still have a strong pace attack with the brilliant Graeme Swann in support. In contrast, only Michael Hussey is in form for Australia (Shane Watson could be added to this list but his inability to convert fifties into hundreds excludes him). Their pace attack is about as far from strong as you could possibly get after conceding over 1000 runs for the loss of only 5 wickets in Brisbane and Adelaide (one of which was taken by the spinner Doherty). Finally, whilst England possess undoubtedly the best spinner in the world. Australia have a man who has 5 first-class games to his name and was playing club cricket only last year (I am not including Smith as I think he is included more as a batsman and part-time bowler).

This is a pivotal point in the series for both sides. If England win, they will have regained the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since 1986/87. If Australia win, the series will be level at 1-1 with all to play for in the remaining two Tests.

What is for sure is that it will be another engrossing contest. The Aussies will be desperate to bounce back strongly from their embarrassing defeat in Adelaide whilst England will be keen to end their tour unbeaten.

Brace yourselves for another fix of exhilarating Ashes cricket. Although perhaps not quite as exhilarating as the start of the Adelaide match, I don't think I could handle another one of those!