Thursday 7 December 2017 09:03, UK
Mark Butcher believes England need to make changes to their batting line-up for the third Ashes Test in Perth.
Australia quickly dashed any hopes of an improbable England victory on day five in Adelaide to leave Joe Root's side 2-0 down with three Tests to play in their bid to retain the urn.
While the bowlers showed what they are capable of by bowling Australia out for just 138 in their second innings at the Adelaide Oval, the batsmen have struggled with just five fifties - and no hundreds - combined in four innings and Butcher believes it is time to make some changes.
"With the batting, something needs to happen," he told Sky Sports News. "Moeen Ali can stay where he is but I'd move Jonny Bairstow up to No 5, I'd leave out James Vince and I'd move Dawid Malan up to No 3 - he bats there for Middlesex - and then I'd bring in Ben Foakes."
The other concern for England is the fitness of Ali, who has struggled for form, especially with the ball, after sustaining a side strain prior to the first Test and a finger injury early on in Brisbane.
Should the all-rounder not be able to prove his fitness, Butcher fears England may have to "rip up everything and start again".
Click play on the video at the top of the page to see Mark Butcher explain the changes he would make to the England XI as they look to fight back at the WACA.
