England's performance in Perth was disappointing, although knowing the pitch there not entirely a shock.

But it was not all bad. One good thing that came out of the match was the performance of young Alex Tudor.

Alex Tudor should play in the next match

I said I would play him in Perth because of the extra pace and bounce and I was proved right.

He did very well on his test debut, and now I just hope can keep fit and keep himself going.

I would pick him again for Adelaide - you have got to encourage players like that because I think England have got a good prospect.

Darren Gough also bowled well for England. I knew he would do well because he is a tremendous competitor and will keep going all the time.

He hasn't had a lot of luck in this series, and has suffered from dropped catches off his bowling.

In fact England have dropped too many catches - it's very important, crucial in fact that you take your chances when they are offered.

Fielding practice

What people don't realise is that when you play abroad the ball comes a lot quicker through the air than in England.

You may be in the outfield and think you are judging a catch perfectly but the next thing you know the ball has flown over your head.

It is essential that you concentrate on fielding practice abroad and I'm sure England will be doing just that.

But the missed chances did not actually lose England this second Test.

It was lost when they did not score enough runs in the first innings - if you get bowled out for 112 in the first innings of a Test you've got a fight on to your hands to win the match.

I'm not blaming anyone for that - the level of the first innings collapse did surprise me but knowing Perth as I do, I have seen many sides bowled out there simply because of the pace and bounce the pitch offers.

All rounder

A lot of people have criticised the lower order batting but the problem runs deeper than that - the most crucial position in the England team is not filled.

England still haven't replaced this man

England have not had a genuine all-rounder since Ian Botham retired.

If you look at all the great Test sides back in history they have had players like Botham.

The West Indies had Gary Sobers, while the Aussies have been lucky enough to have not one but two Waugh twins in recent years.

People say Alec Stewart fills the role but he will say himself that he is not a true all-rounder.

He has to keep wicket because it is the only way England can compensate for the absence of someone who can score a hundred and then take five wickets.

Having a good all rounder gives your team balance, and not having one puts a lot of pressure on the tail-end batsmen.

As far as the top order, experience tells me that the Aussies are deciding in their team meetings to target England's most experienced players - Stewart and Mike Atherton.

And they're getting them cheaply, putting a lot of pressure on the rest of the batting.

Graeme Hick has given the selectors a problem

Graeme Hick has now put a lot of pressure on England selectors.

I'm a big fan of John Crawley, who I thought was the best English batsman on the county circuit last season.

I'd be looking to play the Lancastrian in every Test but that is very difficult now with Hick's performance, although for once this is a good problem for the selectors to have.

Having said that, it is crucial Graham Thorpe comes back - injury permitting.

He's a very important part of the order because it gives England two left handers in their top six, a situation which can unsettle the line of the bowlers.

Aussie strength

The Aussies prove that point with Mark Taylor and Justin Langer, not to mention world class players in reserve like Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan and Matthew Elliot.

Their batting is very powerful and they are simply the best side in the world. I was not surprised they stood up to the Perth pitch better than England.

Jason Gillespie was magnificent in Perth

Their bowlers were also able to exploit the conditions fully, particularly Jason Gillespie, who certainly looks to have got over his fitness worries.

What he does is swing it away from the bat late, which gets good players out particularly on a pitch like Perth. He bowled magnificently but can he keep it up for the rest of series?

England have to keep going, and I believe they must return to playing five bowlers.

Playing seven batsmen in Perth was a mistake - to win Test matches you have to bowl sides out twice, and need the bowlers to do so.

There is hope

Having said all that I can see light in the tunnel for England - mainly thanks to that storm in Brisbane which saved them from a 2-0 deficit.

Adelaide - the next venue - represents their best chance to win a match.