Aussies Ring The Changes

With Simon Katich out with a damaged achilles there was always going to be at least one change for the Australians ahead of the Perth test.

However, such was the crushing nature of the defeat to England in the second Test it was inevitable that more changes would be made and the selectors have duly obliged.

Along with Katich Marcus North, Xavier Doherty and Dougie Bollinger have also been dropped, with Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson recalled and uncapped spinner Steve Smith and Michael Beer are also in.

The selection of Beer is perhaps the most surprising as he has only made five first-class appearances, taking 16 wickets.

Captain Ricky Ponting is a fan though and he looks set to play alongside three seamers – probably Hilfenhaus, Johnson and Peter Siddle – with Steve Smith slotting in to Marcus North’s number six position.

All the chopping and changing is music to the ears of England, who only have the enforced absence of Stuart Broad to worry about.

Usually it is the tourists who are left scrabbling around for the right line-up but their display in Adelaide, arguably one of the finest Ashes performances by an England side in more than 20 years, means the team picks itself and the best Ashes odds suggest they are in with an excellent chance of retaining the Urn.

A shoot out to replace Broad in Melbourne between back up bowlers Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett, Ajmal Shahzad is currently taking place though Bresnan, the most experienced and reliable option, is looking favourite to get the nod. Anyone who has bet on England to win the Ashes will be watching the selection with interest.

The warm glow from the Adelaide test still beams from every member of the England squad, but such is the focus instilled by captain Strauss, thoughts are already turning towards the WACA and the third Test next week.