Cherry Tree's Jon Baldwin at the Ashes (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Cherry Tree's Jon Baldwin at the Ashes

4:59pm Friday 17th December 2010 in Ashes blog

THOUSANDS of English cricket fans have headed Down Under for the Ashes – but former Cherry Tree captain Jon Baldwin didn’t need to set off too early for the third Test at the WACA as he is living and working in Perth.

Baldwin was in Australia four years ago as England were hammered 5-0 – but he says things are ever so slightly different this time around.

Here the 28-year-old tells the Lancashire Telegraph just how special the atmosphere in the city has been over the series so far...

“The mood around the city has been noticeably different during the last week, really building towards the Test.

“Australia in general and the Aussie media seem really down on their team, while flocks of the Barmy Army have settled in for the festivities.

“Having been here four years ago, it’s fantastic to see an England team clearly better in all departments than the Australian opposition - but I am sure that Australia have realised that yet though.

“Jimmy Anderson is bowling like a dream, and ‘Sir’ Ian Bell has been just brilliant when called upon. Hope it continues!”