Perth: England captain Alastair Cook insisted, on Thursday, that his under-pressure team are as hungry as ever and did not need lifting, despite being crushed in the first two Ashes Tests by Australia.
Cook, who like Australian skipper Michael Clarke will play his 100th Test in Perth from Friday, said his side retained the belief that they can prevent Australia winning at the WACA to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.
“Our confidence has obviously had a hit from the first two Test matches,” he told reporters, referring to Brisbane and Adelaide.
“But as a squad we’ve made a conscious effort to look forward rather than back. We think we’ve got our preparations right.”
England will go into the Test with coach Andy Flower suggesting there will be changes from the team that played in Adelaide, where they opted for two spinners in Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.
Perth is more of a fast-bowlers track and Panesar is expected to miss out, although a team has yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Australian paceman Ryan Harris is battling a sore knee, with reports on Thursday saying he was in doubt for the third Test.
The 34-year-old has been a crucial part of the attack that has fired Australia to a 2-0 lead, but he reported stiffness during the second Test.
Channel Ten television said he was a doubt for the Perth Test.
“Ryan Harris has had an ongoing knee issue throughout his career which we manage after each Test he plays,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said.
He added that the Queensland quick, who has bowled 67.4 overs in this Ashes series, with eight wickets at 20.25, would train on Thursday.
If he does not recover, James Faulkner, who was 12th man in Brisbane and Adelaide, is a contender to come into the side, while Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile are on standby.
Clarke warned the Perth Test will not be won by raw pace alone, with bowlers needing to be smart in the forecast searing heat.
Clarke said he could feel “a great sense of anticipation around the country” about winning the Ashes, but said it was far from a foregone conclusion.
“This is going to be a tough Test match,” he said in a column for News Limited tabloids.
“History says we have a fabulous record here and we have certainly taken a lot of confidence out of winning the first two Tests.
“But history won’t mean a thing when the third Test starts on Friday. It’s about us creating our own history.
“And it won’t be simply a matter of bombing away with our fast bowlers.”
The captain said he will wait until Friday before naming his team. (AFP)