The Ashes / Andy Morris / 15 December 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Two games into the Ashes and Andy Morris is watching the knives being drawn and sharpened for the home team.

Whispers are getting louder on it being Ricky Ponting's swansong, even as the selectors make some interesting, if not puzzling, decisions for the next Test match at WACA in Perth.

England lead the series 1-0 and will go into the game knowing that a win in this, or any of the remaining Test matches, is all they need to retain the Ashes.

England will want much more than an Ashes with a drawn score-line. That, effectively, may give them the Ashes but would be a disappointment for a side that has looked head and shoulders better than the opposition. And they will want to go to Perth with an aim to win the game and follow it up with as many wins as possible from the remaining two as well.

Going back to the Australian selectors, the sacking of Marcus North and Xavier Doherty was a no-brainer, as was the selection of Phil Hughes as a replacement for the injured Simon Katich. Doug Bollinger's lack of fitness meant that he also had to go and that has meant there are changes galore. Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus come back. Steven Smith also makes a comeback to perform a role, in his own words, defined as 'a Joker'.

But the most glaring inclusion is that of left-arm spinner Michael Beer.

Beer may still not play in the eleven, which means the Aussies go into the game with five batsmen, a wicket-keeper, a 'Joker' and four pace bowlers, with a hope that the Joker will be able to send down some overs of leg-spin.

England will have one forced change. With Stuart Broad ruled out, there is a good chance that Chris Tremlett may replace him in the playing eleven. The rest of them look to be in a good fiddle and will give the Aussies a good run.

What could spice up the contest is the nature of the WACA track. Two flat decks have allowed England to get away with 1100 plus runs for the loss of six wickets and if there was an occasion needed for WACA to go back to those heady days of pace, bounce and helmet-cracking stuff, it is now. There is no other way in which Australia can think of taking 20 wickets.

The odds for either of the two sides winning the third Test are 2.72, with the draw being pegged at 3.72.

Unsurprisingly, the odds for England to win the series are at 1.57 compared to 6.4 if Australia win it.