ISLAMABAD Dec 12 (TNS): Third Test match of Ashes series between England and Australia will commence in Perth on Thursday.
Australia lead the five test match series by 2-0.
If England are to keep their Ashes hopes alive then they will have to avoid defeat in the third Test match against Australia in Perth.
Starting on 14 December at the Waca, the third Test could see Steve Smith’s Aussie side win back the Ashes after they took a 2-0 series lead with victory in Adelaide.
It’s an uphill task for the tourists, but skipper Joe Root believes England are still “massively in the series”.
Root’s confidence, however, is not echoed by cricket pundit Geoffrey Boycott who wrote in his column: “Let’s be brutally honest. For the all the upbeat talk from our players and the hopes and expectations from our supporters, Australia are better than us.
“The Ashes are gone. We are not coming back from 2-0 down. England will have a massive job avoiding a 5-0 thrashing.”
With three Tests left to play, England can still retain the Ashes if they draw the series – so the pressure is on starting in Perth next week.
History is not on England’s side though, reports Sky Sports. According to cricket statistician Benedict Bermange England have never beaten or drawn with Australia from 2-0 down.
