Australia and England are set for battle in the third Test of the Ashes series which starts on Thursday in Perth and the Aussies know if they lose this Test, the English will retain the Ashes.
For that reason it’s been an interesting week for Australia with selection changes galore, along with plenty of speculation on who will make the final eleven.
In fact, Australia announced they won’t be making a decision on the final make-up of their side until the morning of the Test.
England, on the other hand, are a lot more settled with Chris Tremlett coming in for the injured Stuart Broad, who is out for the series.
The WACA pitch is typically lively for the bowlers and all reports are that it is green which should make for an interesting Test. The conditions will be very unfamiliar for the English who have a poor record in Perth.
That may give Australia some hope after struggling to take wickets in the past two England innings.
Indeed, Australia’s lack of wickets has prompted a big change of the attack with Mitchell Johnson set to return in a bid to find someone who can produce that spark which is desperately needed.
Australia may also turn to unknown spinner Michael Beer, as they search for answers. But the reality is the Aussies are short on ideas and appear desperate.
The fact they haven’t decided on their best eleven before the day of the match suggests the selectors aren’t sure about their options.
Along with that, Simon Katich’s injury has brought in Phil Hughes to open the batting and his ability to handle the occasion is unknown. It’s been a while since Hughes has played a Test for Australia and he hasn’t filled himself with glory since.
Steve Smith is an interesting selection too, with Marcus North copping the chop for his home Test.
Smith is an all-rounder and could provide some spin if Australia go with four quicks. His ability with the bat is okay, but completely untested at this level, in another sign of Australian desperation.
But the likes of Smith and Hughes won’t be the keys for Australia, rather the form of mainstays like Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke who need to score some runs, while the bowlers obviously need to get at the English batsmen.
England have few issues to concern them, although swing-bowler Jimmy Anderson’s mad dash to-and-from Britain to be with his wife for the birth of their second child could take its toll.
As well, the incoming Tremlett will be tested at this level which could hint England’s attack might be short.
England’s batsmen, though, have been wonderful this series and appear full of confidence, led by Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen, while skipper Andrew Strauss has failed twice and will be determined to improve.
But Australia skipper Ponting knows England have not won a Perth Test since 1976 and has confidence ahead of this crucial match.
“I think there’s a great opportunity here,” Ponting said.
“I’ve been really excited about the last few days and just thinking about them (England) having at least one change in their side and (Jimmy) Anderson, as much as he’s talking up not really worrying, we’ve all done those flights in the past and it takes you a couple of days to get over them.
“Historically England haven’t got a great record here either, I know our last couple of games here haven’t been as we would’ve liked either, but I honestly feel the pitch conditions here are as foreign to English players as anywhere else in the world and hopefully we can exploit that this week.”
Strauss said: “The last Test match I played here four years ago wasn’t massively quick and bouncy, and the warm-up game we played here wasn’t massively quick and bouncy, but there are differences here.
“You need to leave balls and have to be more judicious about which ones you play and leave here than on other pitches.
“You need to adapt your game - and that is what cricket is about all over the world. You go to India, you need to adapt your game to the conditions there - and likewise here.
“Australia’s record here is very good, so that suggests they’re better at adapting to these conditions than other teams. But that means it’s a great opportunity for us to show we’re a better side than we used to be.”
Likely teams; Australia; Ricky Ponting (c), Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris
England; Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson, Steve Finn, Chris Tremlett