Ashes 2017-18: Five major factors that could decide the third Test

The icing on the cake for Australia would be a win at the WACA in the third Ashes Test as they are just one step away from reclaiming the prestigious urn.

As far as England are concerned, history is not on their side; only Don Bradman's Australian side, in 1936-37, won the Ashes after going 2-0 down.

Here is a look at what to expect from the third Test:

#5 Changes in playing XI

The inclusion of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the squad is a clear indication that the Aussie selectors are looking for additional bowling options. The only person who is in danger of missing out is out-of-form middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb and if Marsh replaces him, the two brothers could slot in at No. 5 and 6.

England's coach Trevor Bayliss made it clear that there wouldn't be wholesale changes. The only possible inclusion could be that of uncapped leg-spinner Mason Crane.

But it will be interesting to see if the think-tank decides to include him as the second spinner. Moeen Ali has looked well below par with the ball and has severely lacked any cutting edge.

The alternative is to do away with the four-pronged pace attack and play him instead of Craig Overton or Chris Woakes.

#4 Form of captains Smith and Root

Who will come out on top in the third Test?

The tussle between the captains of the two sides has been a great subplot.

Steven Smith rescued Australia with his Man of the Match performance at the Gabba while Joe Root raised hopes of an unlikely England victory at Adelaide until the final morning.

So, once again, all eyes will be on their batting contributions and more importantly, tactics on the field. Both made dubious decisions in the second Test; Root elected to bowl first after winning the toss while Smith didn’t enforce the follow-on despite having England on the ropes.

#3 England's ploy against Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon has spun webs around the England batsmen in this series

Prior to the series, Nathan Lyon spoke about his wish to end the careers of a few English cricketers and so far he has walked the talk.

Sitting pretty at the top of the wicket-takers' list (57) in Tests in 2017, Lyon has managed to keep Joe Root's men quiet with drift, turn and extra bounce available on the Australian pitches.

Steve Smith has had the luxury of bowling Lyon at one end for long periods while rotating his three main quicks at the other. But, the England batsmen will have to find a way to hit the off-spinner out of the attack and force Smith to change his plans. Whether they do come up with a plan remains to be seen.

#2 David Warner

Warner has looked scratchy in the series so far but England will know he can cut loose at any time

The left-handed opener has had a very quiet Ashes series by his standards, with scores of 26, 87*, 47 and 14. David Warner could very well take a liking to the quick and bouncy WACA wicket though and play a substantial innings at the top.

Warner came into the limelight courtesy of his enthralling 180 on this very ground against India in 2012. While Joe Root and England have managed to keep him quiet so far by employing good fields and bowling good lines, it only takes a couple of deliveries for the southpaw to cut loose.

#1 Verbal exchanges

England have been drawn into a battle of words and it has prevented them from focussing on the important things

In the build-up to the Ashes and also during the series itself, there has been no shortage of strong words exchanged between players of both camps. While it is second nature to the Aussies, England are finding it difficult to cope with the constant sledging and are, in fact, playing right into the hands of the home side.

In Adelaide, James Anderson felt that his team got into the head of Steven Smith when he was batting, however, the Aussie skipper waved it off, instead saying that it fired him up.

Even before the series got underway, England were in strife following all-rounder Ben Stokes' suspension. To make matters worse, since the first Test at the Gabba, Australia have targetted Jonny Bairstow regarding the "headbutt" incident. The war of words has so far prevented Root's men from concentrating on their main job: to score runs and get wickets.

Will England continue to get involved in verbal exchanges or will they focus on what's necessary and let the bat and ball do the talking? Only time will tell.