Today the bowling attack is beyond words in contrast. Insecure, underwhelming, a completely unknown quality in comparison. Following left-arm spinner Michael Beer's selection ahead of a beleaguered Xavier Doherty, Australia have selected seven main bowlers since the first Test in Brisbane.
Cricket Australia will be hoping that Beer, who has only played five first-class matches, could be a hidden gem in the rough as they continue to search for Shane Warne's replacement; by no means an easy task. His average of 39.93 is marginally better than his predecessor Doherty, but this continuous chopping and changing will eradicate any stability that the team is attempting to build.
Simon Katich's Achilles injury will prevent him from playing any further part in the series, but Marcus North's scores of 1, 26 and 22 have once again underlined his poor form. His replacement, Steve Smith scored well against England''s seam attack during Australia 'A's match prior to the first Test, notching a competent 59.
But James Anderson, Steven Finn and Graeme Swann are a different class in their current form, so the Baggy Green must hit the ground running if they are to impose themselves on a quick WACA pitch. Back in the day when Perth could claim it had one of the fastest tracks in the world, batsmen feared it and bowlers thrived on it, with severe cracks giving it a dangerous name.
Recent matches have dismissed it's dormant status, exploding once again to the delight of tall seam bowlers. Could this be where the towering Chris Tremlett takes the lead in the race for Stuart Broad's spot in the team?
Don't forget, it was here where West Indian seamer Curtly Ambrose took seven wickets for one run in less than an hour against Australia in the 1992-93 series. If cracks appear such as the crevasse that appeared in a recent match between second XI sides for Western Australia and New South Wales it would take a brave man to make a wager on the upcoming third Test.
It may also be here that the recalled Mitchell Johnson will rediscover his threat, which has thus far been absent to England's dominant batting line-up. He will be thankful that Doug Bollinger failed to take a grip on the spot given to him in the latest Test.
Despite the pitch's new-found trampoline-like bounce, the Australian side does not look like recreating the speed and precision that Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson used to dispatch England in the mid-seventies. Cricket Australia's inability to have faith within certain players will have confidence at an all-time low and to see Ricky Ponting's side walk away with anything looks unlikely.
A lack of height could prove the difference on an indifferent pitch, with Anderson, Finn and Tremlett all looking down on Australia's stout bowling attack. This could be curtains for Australia, and possibly Ricky Ponting's illustrious career as captain.
Final prediction: England win
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