England need a quick response as they look to bounce back immediately after going 2-0 down to the Aussies. The third test at Perth could prove pivotal for England in reclaiming the player’s dignities and indeed going a long way toward salvaging the series.

Perth has played host to clashes between cricket’s old enemies since the 1890s, and has seen both nations retain, and reclaim the famous Urn.

The 1995 fifth test was one of Perth’s most memorable, the hosts winning by 329 runs in what would be Mike Gatting and Graham Gooch’s last. Shane Warne and Craig McDermott, now Australia’s bowling coach, led the line with an inexperienced Glen McGrath providing support.

After posting 402, a solid performance from Graham Thorpe (123) subdued the Aussie onslaught although it only helped England reach 295. Knocks from Greg Blewett and Steve Waugh in Australia’s second innings made England’s task of reaching 453 look challenging. Matters weren’t helped by a top order collapse and only three went on to reach double figures, McDermott was rampant taking 6 wickets, with England all out for a mere 123.

Five years earlier, McDermott led Australia to win the series 3-0 and the final test by nine wickets. He ended with figures of 8-97 and took 11 over the course of the fifth test cementing Australia’s hold at the top of the world platform. In 1982 the Ashes rivalry was overshadowed by a stormy incident when Australian bowler Terry Alderman dislocated his shoulder after chasing off a pitch invader, the escapade resulting in 26 arrests.

The 1998 Test was over in less than three days and Damien Fleming was the star player taking 5-46 and 4-89 notably demolishing England’s top order in the second innings.

2002 saw a woeful display from England - following Brisbane and Adelaide defeats – outlined the substantial quality in the Australian ranks. The bowling department, which boasted the tantalising trio of Warne, McGrath and Brett Lee simply blew the Three Lions away. Nasser Hussain won the toss and opted to bat but this Perth pitch offered the most pace and bounce seen at the WACA stadium for years.

Bruising innings from Ricky Ponting (68) and Damien Martyn (71) compounded the misery and put Australia in total control, posting 456. Even a resilient Alec Stewart innings of 66 couldn’t stop an English breakdown with him remaining not out. Alex Tudor was on the receiving end of a Brett Lee bouncer and was taken off on a stretcher. Lee had the final laugh, rearranging Harmison’s stumps and launching raucous celebrations. Australia won the game dominantly by an innings and 48 runs with their most celebrated crop of players in recent history, going on to win the series 4-1.

Mike Hussey on his way to his 2006 Ashes century

Four years later, a charismatic Monty Panesar took a five wicket haul in the first innings to leave Australia 244 all out but England struggled to capitalise and reached only 215. The 2006 test, which featured three remarkable centuries from Mike Hussey, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke eased the world’s best side into utter control. Despite knocks - in the form of an Alastair Cook hundred and half-centuries from Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff - the target of 557 was virtually impossible to reach. We were whitewashed 5-0 that series.

In the 2010/11 series, Perth was the location for the third test with England leading the series 1-0. Iconic displays from a man nearing the twilight of his career, Mike Hussey, made 61 and 116, thus deterring the English attack. A rejuvenated Mitchell Johnson and a gritty Ryan Harris - taking overall figures of 9-82 and 9-106 respectively - levelled the series and gave them hope of regaining the Ashes.

The quickest and bounciest wicket in the world will challenge an already under pressure touring side and seriously put into the question whether they can respond by putting runs on the board. Having only reached 200 once in four innings, Mitchell Johnson will be looking to overwhelm the England batsmen once more. All eyes to Perth, then, and the match which could see the Ashes stay put until 2015.