“It looked like we were playing good cricket and had a group>>Ricky Ponting.
of players good enough to win the series. Now, it probably looks as though we’ll
have to be at our absolute best to work our way back in.
"Pressure is on players and coaches to give it our best shot. There’s nothing we’d change preparation, personnel wise. Everything was how we wanted it. Purely and simply, we’ve been outplayed.”
It is difficult to remember a time where England were so dominant from ball one in all aspects of the game, completely outplaying the Australians from the moment Jonathan Trott's throw broke the stumps with Simon Katich yards short of the crease.
Heading into Perth, England know that a victory will ensure the Ashes are retained, but they now have a fantastic opportunity to exorcise some of the ghosts of series past and notonly win the Ashes but deliver a resounding series win.
Where do Australia go from here though? It appears as though Simon Katich will be ruled out of the Perth test (if not the series) whilst they have already axed three bowlers - Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus - so far in the series, so do they have realistic options to come into the side?
Likely it will be Phillip Hughes who earns a recall, but he has far from impressed against England, whilst the changes Australia made in the bowling department made no impact and they appear incapable of bowling an England side - all with runs under their belts - out twice in order to win a Test.
Realistically, Australia have to win at Perth. Anything less will see the momentum England built in Adelaide continue and will fail to repair the clear damage caused to the psyche of the Australians who are not only struggling technically, but from a mental apsect as well.
It looks set to be a long week ahead for Ricky Ponting and the Australians.
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