Uncapped Melbourne grade batsman now part of England squad

ADELAIDE - England selectors have rushed an uncapped batsman from Melbourne grade cricket into their Ashes squad as they try to avoid another drubbing by Australia in this week's third Test in Perth.

Paul Collingwood - a 26-year-old middle-order batsman - is the latest player through England's revolving tour door to cover for injury concerns about Michael Vaughan (knee and shoulder) and John Crawley (hip).

Collingwood has played 25 one-day internationals, including two against Australia, and has played grade cricket in Melbourne to stay in shape for the World Cup in Africa in February and March.

Paceman Andrew Caddick also remains in some doubt for the third Test with a back problem after taking combined figures of 6-298 in the opening matches but selectors have sufficient back-up in Alex Tudor and Chris Silverwood.

Young spinner Gareth Batty is also on standby but he has yet to prove he can play after a reaction from a shoulder injection.

Can it get any worse?

England coach Duncan Fletcher hopes not and insists the tourists are capable of beating Australia despite losing the opening Tests by 384 runs and an innings and 51 runs.

"Everyone is mentally down when you lose a Test match, I don't think anyone is mentally up when you lose a game," Fletcher said today.

"There are guys here who really believe they can and they want to beat Australia."

England's mood wasn't helped by rain in Adelaide today which may have helped the tourists save the Test had they managed to survive until the fifth day.

But Fletcher dismissed the weather as an issue along with speculation that his captain Nasser Hussain was beginning to feel the strain of the desperate opening to the Australian tour.

"That's not the Nasser Hussain that I know," Fletcher said.

"I saw him this morning and he was still very enthusiastic and you can tell he is still up for it. There is no doubt about that."

The squad will arrive in Perth tomorrow without all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who will remain in Adelaide for treatment to his troublesome groin.