England has been 2-0 down in the ongoing Ashes series and their chances for an inspirational comeback are quite bleak. Even England’s former captain Michael Vaughan and Bob Willis are aware of the current situation of ‘Three Lions’. They sense another 5-0 drubbing for their team after two poor outings in the first two matches.
England slipped a well-poised match from their hands in Brisbane’s series opener, where Australia came victorious by 10 wickets. Afterwards, the Adelaide Oval became a witness of a true character of Test cricket under floodlights. Though England faced another defeat in this game but they were able to put some fight in a race of chasing the front-runner.
Perth is the host for the third game, a place where England hasn’t won a game since 1978.
Talking to The Australian Friday, Vaughan said: “This was the week we all fancied England to take something from.”
“In Perth, the ball won’t swing like this (in Adelaide). We are now looking like we did in 2013, like we did in 2006-07, you look at this England side, and realistically, can you see them winning a Test match?” he added. “I think it’s going to be very difficult to win a Test match on this tour.”
Willis was also in awe of Australia’s dominance throughout the series and quoted “England are fighting as hard as they can, but the bald fact is they are up against a better side in these conditions.”
“The glaring differences are that Australia have express pace in the seam department and a world-class spinner. We have neither,” Willis added.
“At this rate, you wouldn’t be surprised if it was 5-0, as Adelaide probably represented England’s best chance to chalking up a victory.”
However, despite the outcome of first two games, Captain Joe Root and Coach Trevor Bayliss had a different perception for the remaining series and suggest calmness to the fans as they are still very much in the series.
Meanwhile, former skipper Mike Atherton also expressed his worries over the outcome of the series. “All put a brave face on events; all tried to find the right tone but all, ultimately, were powerless to stop an Australian juggernaut that, once rolling, gathers momentum with frightening speed,” he quoted in The Times.
“Certainly, the scent is strong and the hounds have been unleashed and Root’s team is struggling to avoid the impression that they are on the run, short of hundreds and outgunned with the ball as they are. It is going to be a tough few weeks,” Atherton added.
The third Test at Perth’s WACA will commence from December 14, which will give a clear sight of the outcome of this Ashes.
