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Perth: Australia look poised to seal one of the great turnarounds in Ashes history when they take on reeling England in Perth from Friday after bulldozing their way to a 2-0 lead.
The Aussies went into the Test series just months after a 3-0 loss in England but the incredible revival of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson triggered big wins in Brisbane and Adelaide.
The home side can take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series on the famously fast pitch at the WACA -- Johnson's home ground -- while shell-shocked England, winners of the past three series, are desperately searching for answers.
England coach Andy Flower has warned that he is not afraid to ring the changes after batting failures in both of the first two Tests and some unconvincing bowling.
Tim Bresnan is likely to make his return, a valued team man and reliable seamer in a time of need. Monty Panesar is the man most likely to make way, though England might also consider shelving Swann for the height and pace of Boyd Rankin. Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen would then constitute the team's spin contingent.
Rival captains Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook will both play their 100th Tests but it is unlikely both men will be celebrating at the end of it.
Batting comparisons between Clarke, 32, and Cook, 28, are indicative of a series that has gone all Australia's way so far after they won by 381 runs in Brisbane and 218 in Adelaide.
While Clarke has scored centuries in both of Australia's thumping wins, for a series average of 71, opener Cook has eked out just 82 runs in four innings at 20.50.
And while Clarke is luxuriating in the success of his three-man pace attack, spearheaded by Johnson, Cook is facing questions about his own leadership and his ageing team.
With fingers pointed at the contributions of senior players Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, James Anderson and also Cook, the England skipper has been on the defensive.
Johnson, sporting a now-trademark handlebar moustache, has also taken more of his 222 Test wickets at the WACA than at any other Test venue, with 36 scalps at a shade under 20.
While Australia, long in the doldrums after the retirement of a host of greats in the past decade, are now resurgent, Clarke has urged his team to stay grounded as they try to clinch the series.
Clarke described his side's record of only two Test wins since January as unacceptable, saying: "Our feet are certainly well and truly cemented on the ground."
Nathan Lyon is likely to play for the hosts, with the only question mark surrounding Ryan Harris' ability to bounce back only three days since his last match bowling. James Faulkner is in the squad, while Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile are also on hand if needed.
Teams from
Australia: Michael Clarke (Capt.), Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, George Bailey, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle and James Faulkner.
England: Alastair Cook (Capt.), Michael Carberry, Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Monty Panesar, Steven Finn, Chris Tremlett, Gary Ballance and Boyd Rankin.
Pitch and conditions
The first glimpse of the WACA ground surface revealed a hard but well-grassed strip that looked likely to reap plenty of catches in the slips cordon. Perth's weather forecast is unforgiving - blue skies for all five days.
Stats & trivia
Match facts
December 13-17, 2013
Start time 1030 local (0230 GMT)
