England pray for miracle at WACA

Perth: England, battered from their latest off-field booze-related scandal, will try to cling on to the Ashes urn when the third Test begins on Thursday at a venue where they haven't won since 1978.

England's chaotic tour reaches the point of no return as Australia, 2-0 up in the five-match series, look for an Ashes-clinching victory in the last ever Test to be played at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Joe Root's tourists were rocked last weekend by a third alcohol-related incident in as many months after England Lions batsman Ben Duckett was suspended from a two-day tour match for pouring a drink on the head of senior player James Anderson following a heated argument.

It is against this backdrop that England must somehow prevent Australia from sweeping to another victory amid predictions of a 5-0 series whitewash.

The tourists could not find a more inhospitable setting for their must-not-lose encounter with Steve Smith's flying Australians after heavy defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide.

England have not won at the WACA for 39 years and have lost their last seven Tests in Perth, all by hefty margins. It is little wonder England teams do not relish playing in the unrelenting heat of the baking venue, which is being used for the last time.

Glenn McGrath said England have two areas they desperately need to sort out for the showdown to avoid further humiliation, mettle and application.