The Ashes: Green surface to greet England

England batsman Alastair Cook might be tested a bit more in Perth after a fantastic start to the Ashes series. Photo / Getty Images

Australia will move closer to finalising their 11 for the third Ashes Test today as England take their first look at the WACA ground, where the grassy nature of the pitch has already caused quite a stir.

The Australian pacemen were delighted to see a verdant green pitch being prepared by the curator Cameron Sutherland, though it is bound to lose some of its moisture and colour over the next two days.

Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle appear to be vying for the final pace bowling spot as Mitchell Johnson seems assured of returning to the team.

England are weighing up which of Chris Tremlett or Tim Bresnan to play in Perth, following the exit of Stuart Broad from the tour due to a side strain.

They are also trying to avoid the temptation of looking too hard at the prospect of retaining the Ashes with victory in the third Test, which would make them the first English touring party to do so before Christmas.

A heavy defeat in the fourth Test of the 2009 series at Headingley, when victory would have secured the urn with one match to play, has been mentioned in team discussions.

"We should talk about matters like that and try to learn from the past," said England coach Andy Flower.

"It's great that we're one up in the series but there is a long way to go. One of our principles is not to look too far ahead and our focus now after leaving Melbourne is on the Perth game and the Perth game only."

The home side sensed some signs of English weakness during their tour match in Melbourne but Flower saw it more as a useful jolt back to the realities of professional cricket following the dreamlike procession at Adelaide.

"It was quite hard work for fast bowlers and spinners alike, but quite a good exercise in getting back to reality for our team," he said.

"After the highs of Adelaide, it was a really good work-out, and now we've got to come and prepare for different conditions in Perth.

"The hard work they had to put in, the number of overs they had to put in against a good Victorian side was the perfect work-out prior to this game.

"They have three days between the end of that match and this Test match, and it was ideal for the team as a whole.

"Adelaide was an important moment in the series and it was very important for us to keep our feet firmly on the floor thereafter, and the Victoria game helped us do that."

- AAP