England require the comeback of all comebacks if they are to turn this Ashes series around after losing each of the first two games. The frustrating part for Ben Stokes and English fans is that there have been moments of promise in each game, only to throw away decent positions. England were effectively 105-1 in the second innings of the first Test before a remarkable collapse gave Travis Head the chance to blitz his way to victory. Then in Brisbane, England's bowlers failed to capitalise on Joe Root's century, with runs from Australia's tail giving them a first innings lead they wouldn't relinquish. There's just one change for England from the second Test, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson.
The home side are buoyed by the return of captain Pat Cummins from injury, while Nathan Lyon is also brought into the side after missing the day-night Test. Lyon has bowled just two overs in the series so far, but with spin set to play a greater role in Adelaide he could have a crucial part to play. The prospect of Cummins, who has 91 Test wickets against England at an average of 24.10, pairing up with this series' leading wicket-taker Mitchell Starc is unlikely to entice too many England fans to stay up past their bedtime, although this Test does have the slightly earlier start time of 11.30pm GMT.
Australia are the favourites to win again in Perth at odds of 1/2, with England priced at 9/4 to secure a potentially series-altering win. A draw is priced at 9/1, reflecting the fast-moving matches we've seen so far in this series and during Brendan McCullum's tenure as a whole.
Meanwhile, a 5-0 defeat Down Under is now the most likely outcome for this year's Ashes series, according to Ladbrokes. After a disastrous start to the series in Australia, England find themselves 2-0 down and priced at just 6/4 to lose the next three Tests, while 14/1 says Ben Stokes and co complete a remarkable comeback. Elsewhere, a 4-1 win for Australia is currently a 5/2 shot, while 22/1 says England nick a draw.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "There's not been much to get excited about Down Under from an England point of view, and an Aussie whitewash is fast becoming more probable than possible."
