How the Ashes can be won and lost

Michael Clarke. Photo / Getty Images

With three tests remaining in the Ashes series what can both sides do to get their hands on the precious urn?

WHAT ENGLAND MUST DO

1: Quickly compensate for the loss of Stuart Broad
They always knew that injury was bound to strike somewhere along the line but Broad has become such a key component that it may not be a smooth transition. As Andrew Strauss, the captain, said yesterday all three of the reserve bowlers are in the frame but he and the coach will already have a clear idea.

2: Stay grounded
The winning of the first live test in Australia for 24 years is a big deal. No England side has managed that for five series, the paltry three victories since 1986-87 all being achieved when the Ashes had already gone. England will never - repeat never - have a better chance of winning in Australia but they have not done so yet.

3: Wrap Swann in cotton wool
He has become the most effective spin bowler partly because, quietly, he believes he is the best spin bowler in the world. When he was needed to wrap up Australia's second innings he did so with conviction. All members of this team count but he has come to count in the fourth innings a great deal more.

4: Continue to accrue big first-innings scores
It was, of course, important to bowl out Australia cheaply, but the key to the Adelaide victory was in scoring 620 for five declared, England's highest total in Australia for 82 years. Repeating that might be too much to expect but the lack of a decent score in Brisbane left them chasing their tails.

5: Strive for the perfect fielding performance
This may sound churlish after their endeavours in Adelaide - the stand-out was probably Paul Collingwood's excellent low slip catch to dismiss Ponting - but some chances went begging, notably two sharp caught and bowled chances missed by Jimmy Anderson and Broad, and a fizzer to Matt Prior on the fifth morning.

WHAT AUSTRALIA MUST DO

1: Stop deluding themselves
Australia are simply not as good as the sides which ruled the world. But until they accept the fact and move on, as Ricky Ponting appears to have done, they will continue to struggle. By kidding itself that it is better than it is, this team is not playing as well as it can.

2: Stop dithering over selection
There have been times, though they would deny it, when the England selectors have been in a pickle. Australia's panel of four does not appear to know where to turn. They made two changes in their team from the first test, having already dithered over that, and now must amend it again. Change is a recipe for panic. They must select for Perth and back their judgement to the end of the series.

3: Keep your eye on the ball
Rarely can an Australian team have fielded with such hesitancy and imprecision. It was not only the dropped catches but the level of ground fielding and throwing. It looked dishevelled and it affected their game at every level.

4: Get the order right
So many players from the captain down look out of form. Most of them average 50 in test cricket yet only Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin have shown a willingness to repel England so far. It does not look the right combination and the choice of the replacement for the injured Simon Katich at the top of the order will be significant. Phil Hughes is out of touch so one solution would be to move the reliable Hussey to open.

5: Stick to a line and length
The bowling is where they are most vulnerable and is the most important to get right. They only have honest toilers as England have discovered to their glee. Mitchell Johnson should be brought back as he has talent and given support could still prove to be a match-winner, something the Aussies are short of.

- Independent