I f Australia were to have any hope of winning the second Test in Perth yesterday it was essential that the two overnight batsmen, Wood and Hughes, remain in harness for as long as possible. As it proved they stayed together for only 40 minutes and that was not long enough. At lunch the innings was in a serious state of decay and at tea the contest was over with England winning by 166 runs and taking a lead of 2-0 in the six-match series.

Melbourne, where the third Test starts on 29 December, offers Australia possibly their last chance of a reprieve. They cannot afford another defeat there.

When Yallop, the Australian captain, said after his side’s defeat at Brisbane that he was “disappointed but not disheartened,” there was no reason to doubt him. When he repeated the message yesterday

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