Australia vs. England Ashes 2013: Dates, Venues and TV Info for Remaining Tests

With Australia looking well placed to take a 2-0 lead in the 2013/14 Ashes series, thoughts from an English perspective will turn to the three remaining Test matches. 

After winning 3-0 on home soil this summer, there were few who anticipated such a drastic decline in form in Australia ahead of this series. Alastair Cook’s team has been plagued by problems both on and off the pitch, with none of the England batsmen capable of handling the raw pace of Mitchell Johnson and Jonathan Trott leaving the tour due to a stress-related illness.

No team has ever recovered from 2-0 down to win or even reclaim the Ashes. Can England do it? Here are the remaining dates, venues and TV info for the last three Test matches to ensure you don’t miss any of the drama unfold:

Third Test Match - Friday 13 December 2013 - Perth

Starts 2:30AM GMT - Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD

A crucial one for England. The team looks as though they will be going into this Test match 2-0 down and nothing less than a win will do if they are looking to win the series.

Alastair Cook's travelling side can still retain the Ashes with a 2-2 drawn series, but he will not want to have to triumph in the final two Test matches to keep English hopes alive and a big performance is needed here to alleviate some pressure.

By contrast, a win for Australia would give them an unassailable 3-0 lead and their first Ashes triumph in four attempts.

Fourth Test Match - Wednesday 25 December 2013 - Melbourne

Starts 11:30PM GMT - Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD

The Boxing Day Test match at the MCG is always a special occasion. The capacity crowd of close to 100,000 people will pack out the stadium to welcome the two teams. It could yet be a celebration of an Australian triumph if they come out on top in Perth.

England will have happy recent memories of this venue after taking an unassailable 2-1 lead here in the previous Ashes series in Australia.

Fifth Test Match - Thursday 2 January 2014 - Sydney

Starts 11:30PM GMT - Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD

Will there be anything riding on the final Test match in Sydney? Or will Johnson and Co. have this well and truly sewn up by this point?

In truth, based on current form this looks more likely to be a match where Australia can secure a series whitewash as opposed to a series decider.