Third Test: Perth

The Third Ashes Test of the series will be at the world famous WACA ground in Perth, it could well be the pivotal match of the series as we get to the middle of the series with both teams looking to get the advantage. The pitch at the WACA is traditionally one that offers pace and bounce for the fast bowlers. That will be plesing for the England team while a breeze into the ground may see the likes of James Anderson extract some big swing.

Last time around in the Ashes in Australia the home team swept aside England to win by over 200 runs so that will stand the Aussies in good stead ahead of this test match. One team will no doubt be carrying the momentum after the first two games and that could prove crucial with two evenly matched teams. As well as offering some pace and bounce it can be a nice pitch for the spinners as Monty Panesar showed last time when he picked up eight wickets in the match despite coming on the losing side. That will give Graeme Swann of England and Nathan Hauritz of Australia a big part in the game and their performances this year could be crucial to the outcome of the Test.

3rd Test team news

Having gone 1 – 0 down in Adelaide Australia made four changes to their team with Mitchell Johnson, Philip Hughes, Ben Hilfenhaus and Steven Smith coming in for Doug Bollinger, Simon Katich, Marcus North and Xavier Dohery. England made one enforced change with Chris Tremlett coming in for the injured Stuart Broad.

England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Chris Tremlett, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steve Finn.

Australia: Philip Hughes, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith North, Brad Haddin,  Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris.

3rd Test catch up

Should you miss any of the action or want to read a daily update from the third test in Perth you will be able to do so below. At the end of each days play a summary of the action will be documented for you to read.

3rd Ashes Test | Perth – Day 1 Report >>
3rd Ashes Test | Perth – Day 2 Report >>
3rd Ashes Test | Perth – Day 3 Report >>
3rd Ashes Test | Perth – Day 4 Report >>
No play on 5th Day of 3rd Ashes Test in Perth

3rd Test Result

With England being 1 – 0 up in the series a win here in Perth would see them retain the Ashes. They started off fine form by initially winning the toss then going on to bowl the Australian’s out for what seemed to be a below par 268. England bowled excellently as a unit with the wickets shared around.

However when it came to the England batting the tide turned. After putting on an opening stand of 78 Mitchell Johnson burst into life taking 6 for 38 and bowling England out for 187. The Australian then came out attacking and played their shots as they made 309 with Michael Hussey again being the back bone of the batting with 116. Tremlett continued his excellent first innings performance taking a further 5 wickets.

With Australia now 390 runs ahead an England win was looking unlikely. This was confirmed after they got off to a dreadful start, collapsing to 81 – 5 at stumps on Day 3. It then took Australia just 50 minutes to wrap up the win as England were bowled out for a abysmal 123. Ryan Harris this time the power house taking 6 wickets as Australia won by a massive 267 runs inside 4 days.