JOE ROOT and his wounded England team travel to Perth for the Third Test of the 2017-18 Ashes – and history isn’t on their side.
The WACA is a notorious graveyard for English hopes, but to have any chance of winning or retaining the Urn then Root’s side have to find a way to win on one of Australia’s toughest pitches.
As we prepare to say goodbye to the famous old ground – with the new Perth Stadium scheduled to open this month – just why has it proved so difficult for England to get a result here over the years?
Why do England struggle at the WACA?
SIMPLY put, you couldn’t get further away from England conditions if you tried.
Perth is often a sweatbox, with the temperatures in Western Australia regularly heading towards 40 degrees – and that’s without a helmet and full pads on.
The pitch will be hard, bouncy and the ball very rarely swings.
Genuine pace bowlers get plenty out of the WACA wicket – but nip and seam artists such as Jimmy Anderson don’t usually do as well.
Aussie kids grow up on these pitches and know them inside out, allowing them to skittle Englishman way out of their comfort zone cheaply.
It’s not impossible to play though – as Ben Stokes’ terrific maiden ton proved last time out.
But you only have to look at the last five Aussie wins against England at this ground to see the hosts dominance.
- 2013 – Australia win by 150 runs
- 2010 – Australia win by 267 runs
- 2006 – Australia win by 206 runs
- 2002 – Australia win by an innings and 48 runs
- 1998 – Australia win by 7 wickets
When did they last win in Perth?
ENGLAND last avoided defeat at the WACA in 1986 when the Aussies saw out the match and survived for a draw thanks to an impressive final day rearguard.
But it was way back in 1978 – almost 40 years ag0 – that England last tasted victory over Australia on this ground.
And even then, it was against a severely weakened side.
A century from David Gower in the first innings led the tourists to 309 all out, before they skittled Australia for just 190 – with Bob Willis taking 5-44.
England added a quickfire 208 more in their second innings before Australia succumbed for just 161, resulting in a 166 run triumph.
It remains the only ever Ashes victory at the ground for England.
Where can I watch the 2017-18 Ashes?
FOR the first time the Ashes are being shown exclusively on BT Sport.
BT secured the rights after Sky Sports had previously held them for years.
Coverage of all the Tests and ODIs will be live on British TV.
Where can I see the highlights of the Ashes?
HIGHLIGHTS of the 2017-18 series will be shown for FREE.
After every day’s play, the best bits will be available to watch on BTSport.com and the BT Sport app.
At 7pm after game day, highlights are uploaded for all to watch.
If you’ve missed out from past days, all action from the series is on BT’s Ashes hub.
BT Sport is the only place to watch the Ashes live from Australia
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