Lehmann says Australia has stranglehold on England

PERTH - The Australian player who knows the most about England's cricketers believes his teammates have a mental hold on the tourists heading into a probable Ashes kill in Perth on Friday.

Darren Lehmann - the Yorkshire captain and brother-in-law of English allrounder Craig White - said he was unsure how England would react in the third Test after they were thrashed in Brisbane and Adelaide.

"It's almost as though we've got a psychological advantage over them - like a stranglehold," Lehmann said in Perth today.

"It will be interesting to see how they go here because they've got to come back pretty hard and win or the series is all over.

"We're obviously right on top of them. The way they batted in that second innings in Adelaide, we bowled really well again and didn't allow them to play well.

"It will be interesting to see what they do, whether they go in with four quicks or an extra batter."

Lehmann is the first Australian player to discuss the mental damage which has surely been inflicted on England after losing the opening Tests by 384 runs and an innings and 51 runs.

Lehmann captains form England batsman Michael Vaughan, off-spinner Richard Dawson and paceman Matthew Hoggard at Yorkshire, and knows White well after marrying his sister Andrea.

Australian captain Steve Waugh insisted the tourists were capable of hitting back at the WACA Ground even though they had been unable to sustain enough pressure on the home team.

England captain Nasser Hussain claimed that was because of technical skills, refusing to admit that Australia had mentally outplayed his team.

While England decides how it will avoid its eighth successive Ashes series loss in Perth, Lehmann faces his own personal fight to stamp his batting mark.

The 32-year-old has scored 30, 20 not out and five in his Test innings since being recalled for the first time in four years.

The left-hander is almost certain to be given the whole Ashes series to prove his worth, especially with Australia playing so well, but his chances of playing on the Caribbean tour in April will be enhanced by a big score.

"I'm almost 33 and realise that I have to make runs to stay in the side and secure my spot. If I don't it's probably the end because that's the way it works," Lehmann said.

"You have to make runs at some stage, the sooner the better.

"There are so many good young players around Australia. It would be nice to get a big score and, if I don't, as long as I've given it 100 per cent along the way and we're winning games, that's what matters.

"You're only getting one hit sometimes so you really have to make the most of every opportunity you get."

Lehmann has had only 10 completed knocks in his seven Tests, and England has tried drying up his favourite run-scoring options through point and third man.

But the Australian one-day regular believes he is calmer now than during his first Test life, which was highlighted by his 98 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 1998-99.

"Last time ... I was worried about too many things and what-ifs. But all I can control is going out and making runs," Lehmann said.

England paceman Andrew Caddick (back) and batsman John Crawley (hip) remain in doubt for the Test while Vaughan is expected to play despite injuring his shoulder during his knock of 177 in the first innings in Adelaide.

Australian batsman Matthew Hayden will join his teammates in Perth tomorrow after remaining in Adelaide to continue his recovery from two operations for haemorrhoids.