England keep options open

CRICKET/The Ashes:  England enter the crucial third Test against Australia tomorrow with captain Nasser Hussain admitting only half his side have guaranteed places for the WACA after their dismal start to the Ashes series.

While Australia look set to name an unchanged line-up for the third successive Test, the tourists have been forced to keep their selection options open, with poor form and injuries affecting nearly every department in the side.

There are still major injury doubts over Hampshire batsman John Crawley and key fast bowler Andrew Caddick had a second injection in as many days trying to overcome the back spasms which restricted his contribution to the latter stages of the innings defeat in Adelaide.

If those are not obstacles enough to overcome after heavy defeats in the opening two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide, England are also concerned about the failure of too many of their players to make an impact on the series so far.

The bowling attack has struggled to restrict Australia's batsmen while the England batting line-up, with the exception of Michael Vaughan after his 177 at Adelaide, have failed to translate starts into big totals.

It has prompted Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher to declare selection open and they may include Chris Silverwood and Paul Collingwood, neither of whom has played for England on tour after being called up as cover for injuries, in their deliberations.

"We've played poorly in the two Tests so you have to really start afresh on selection," admitted Hussain. "There is only about half the side that warrant a place on form at the moment."

Hussain would not dream of using injuries as an excuse for England's lame displays in the opening two Tests, but while Australia's only problem has been a slight calf strain being carried by fast bowler Jason Gillespie, the tourists have been plagued with fitness worries virtually since they first arrived in Perth five weeks ago.

Darren Gough, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles have had to return home with knee injuries, all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the first three Tests after failing to overcome the effects of a summer hernia operation while Vaughan, Crawley and Caddick have also suffered ailments. Marcus Trescothick also missed practice yesterday with an upset stomach, but is not thought to be a doubt for the Test.