England started day three in Perth with hopes of at least asking a question or two of Australia, they ended it in a position that has become depressingly familiar on this tour... deep in trouble and facing heavy defeat.
Prior warning
The match might already have been slipping away from them, but
England certainly did not help their cause with a series of fielding errors. Normally such a reliable figure behind the stumps, Matt Prior was the culprit-in-chief on Sunday as he twice missed opportunities to stump David Warner - the first a regulation chance when the fiery left-hander was just 13. To make matters worse, Prior then opted against going for a nick from Chris Rogers, instead watching on as a despairing effort from skipper Alastair Cook resulted in a spill. In truth, Australia were already well in charge, but it was a symptomatic of a side shorn of belief who have been simply battered into submission by the all-out aggression of the Australians.
Where's the fight?
Given the quality of their cricket to date in the series, it is hard to begrudge the Aussies what now looks like an inevitable march to Ashes victory. However, what has been increasingly uncomfortable to watch is the apparent lack of stomach for the fight being displayed by England. Sunday was perhaps their poorest day of the series to date - (and that's saying something!) - with heads appearing to go down in the field and a distinct lack of gumption on display. It
left Sir Ian Botham particularly unimpressed, the England all-round great stating: "Today the wheels were well and truly off for England, out of control. I'm disappointed I'm not seeing more fight, guts and spirit."
Game over
Given up all hope England fans? Well you're in good company, even
former captain Andrew Strauss reckons it's now a hopeless cause Down Under. The Sky Sports pundit believes England were drinking in last chance saloon on Sunday, but feels time can now be called on their hopes of retaining the urn after a wretched day in the Perth sunshine. "It was a day they had to win if they wanted any chance of getting back into this Ashes series and they fluffed their lines quite spectacularly," said Strauss. He went on to describe England's under-fire batting line-up as "mentally disintegrated" after yet another tame surrender. It is hard to see any way out for England and it now just seems a matter of when rather than if.
