England are in Perth looking to try and stop Australia from reclaiming the Ashes.

The Aussies take a 2-0 lead to the Waca. a ground England have only won once at – back in 1978.

This will also be the final time that England will come to the Waca as the new 60,000 seater Optus Stadium will hold Test matches in Perth going forward, and the English won’t be unhappy about seeing the back of it.

In four of the last six series, Perth has been where the series has been decided and unless England can someone cobble together a win, the same will happen again this week.

And Australian captain Steve Smith has been quick to point out that England’s series could be over within two sessions in Perth.

“They are only a couple of bad sessions away from the series going away from them,” said Smith.

“It would be nice to get those couple of sessions out of the way in the first few days here. I wouldn’t say we have played our best just yet, we have shown glimpses.

“It’s 2-0 at the moment so [the whitewash] is still on. There’s no reason why not.

“We will have to play some good cricket, no doubt England will come back hard. But if we can win it would take the wind out of their sails a little bit, knowing the series is dead and buried.”

But England captain Joe Root remains defiant, and is convinced his side can still retain the Ashes.

“I genuinely believe that we have a really good opportunity here,” said Root.

“We know exactly how we need to go about things. It’s about putting that into practice and guys delivering when it really matters.

“The fundamentals of how we go about the game are the key thing.

“We have to make sure we’re clear on how to take on their bowlers, these conditions and give ourselves the best opportunity to make a big score.”

Third Test
Australia v England
Waca, Perth

TEAM NEWS: Despite winning the opening two Tests, Australia are making a change with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is to set to play on his home ground instead of Peter Handscomb. England are unchanged although Jonny Bairstow will move ahead of Moeen Ali in the pecking order.
Australia XI: Steve Smith (captain) David Warner (vice-captain), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon
England XI: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes
KEY FACT: England have only one once at the Waca
MATCH ODDS: Australia 8/15 England 4/1 Draw 7/2

We spoke to BetFred’s Cricket trader Phil Crawford to get his view on the First Test

It has been very quiet for the third Test – money evenly split on both teams.

There has been no interest in England for the Series – it’s a long way back now, and indeed there has been plenty of interest in the 5-0. There was plenty of interest in it before the series started and after the Aussies won the first two Tests – but of course that was at much bigger prices – it is now only 2/1 to be 5-0.

Of the other markets, Steven Smith to Top Bat for Australia (1^st Innings) and Joe Root to Top Bat for England (1^st Innings) are the most popular so far.

Our Cricket expert Richard Waite, a former player and now a highly regarded coach, is currently Hong Kong women’s and development coach

England’s best chance of getting something from the game – they must be bold and change the batting order. Do something un-English.

Overton proved he is capable at this level. I think this is the test where Cook will shine and lead from the front. The Aussies will play Mitch Marsh to bolster their seam attack.

England to get a draw and keep series alive. Just!