Matt Prior believes England can go through this winter’s Ashes tour down under without defeat. (England to win the Ashes – 4/9 fav)

Prior, who saved England’s blushes with an unbeaten century in a tour game against Victoria, believes the visitors can manage the feat last achieved against the Aussies forty years ago.  That time round it was Ray Illingworth’s England that won a seven match series 2-0 and were unbeaten in eight first-class games.

“If we carry on playing the brand of cricket we have been there is certainly no reason why we can’t go through the tour unbeaten.” Prior said.

He added: “Go on any tour and you want to be unbeaten, be it an Ashes or anywhere else. It would be a fantastic feat and it is something we are certainly targeting.”

England managed to secure a draw against Victoria in a game which answered few questions for the selectors.

With Stuart Broad out injured for the remainder of the series, England need to replace the bowling all-rounder.

However, with just one solitary wicket in both innings for the three players vying for the spot it has not made the selectors’ decision any easier.  (Swann to be England’s top wicket taker for series  – 4/7 fav)

Chris Tremlett, Ajmal Shazhad and Tim Bresnan are the men in contention to replace Broad, with the third Test starting in Perth on Thursday.