The Ashes: Andy Flower key to England revival, says Adam Gilchrist

England's Andy Flower looks on during a practice session at the WACA (PA)

Adam Gilchrist may know how England feel. Considering what he achieved in the game as a key member of one of the greatest teams, he may know it a little more.

"This is uncharted waters for this England group," he said looking out over The Waca, where he played one of the most memorably destructive of all Test innings. "They've been a really well-performed team for a number of years so this is a new challenge, and it will be interesting to see if they're up for that challenge.

"Andy Flower has got a challenge as a leader, and this is where I hope some focus can be drawn back to John Buchanan, because he had some magicians to work with but he had to inspire them and challenge them and make them want to keep doing it. The first moment we started as a group to waver England pounced and took the series off us."

Australia had won eight Ashes series in a row when England at last triumphed in 2005 but Buchanan, their coach, and Ricky Ponting, their captain, meted out brutal vengeance 18 months later by taking the return series 5-0. The apotheosis was probably Gilchrist's stunning innings of 102 from 59 balls.

He suspects England may be in similar territory to Australia in 2005. They are a team who have won plenty and achieved much and without realising it may be up against a hungrier team.

"I don't know, there are signs of that," he said. "I can only speak from personal experience and it is a scenario you face, particularly if you've been in a group that's been very successful. There are a number of players who have performed really well but it may be a challenge they're facing each day.

"I think the effect if the Aussies are able to regain the Ashes will be similar around our nation to England in 05. They're so close to doing that. We've been in a world of hurt for a while now. They're not there yet so these are interesting times."

Gilchrist played six matches with Mitchell Johnson as one career was ending and the other was starting. While he freely admitted he would not mind standing 30 metres back to him at present and that Johnson had been of vital importance, Gilchrist went in search of another reason for Australia's success.

"I continue to go back to Darren Lehmann and the seeds that he would have planted as soon as he assumed that role as coach," he said. "His fingerprints are all over the atmosphere around that team. I know from personal experience he's a guy who creates the right atmosphere for people to feel like they can do their best."

Lehmann knows how to plan strategies but he also knows how to make people feel good about themselves, Johnson for one, Michael Clarke, the captain, for another. It is an art that Flower has and must rediscover in motivating his fading charges.

Gilchrist said: "I think Michael is one of the great beneficiaries of having Darren Lehmann around. I can't put words in his mouth but I would imagine if you ask him at the end he would speak along similar lines. He just de-stresses situations and players and leaders, so I think 'Pup' [Clarke] has really relished working with him, and that's allowed a lot more of his inner personality to come out."

Third Test details

Possible teams:

Australia M J Clarke (capt), C J L Rogers, D A Warner, S R Watson, S P D Smith, G J Bailey, B J Haddin, M G Johnson, P M Siddle, R J Harris, J P Faulkner

England A N Cook (capt), M A Carberry, J E Root, K P Pietersen, I R Bell, B A Stokes, M J Prior, T T Bresnan, S C J Broad, J M Anderson, W B Rankin

Umpires M Erasmus (SA) & B Bowden (NZ)

Television Sky Sports 2, from 2am

Pitch report The new groundsman promises pace and bounce, increasing as the match goes on. There will be plenty of short stuff and not much spin.

Weather forecast Temperatures are expected to reach 40C throughout the weekend, with the Fremantle Doctor sea breeze blowing through in the afternoons.