PERTH (AFP) - Buoyant England will need to overcome a long hoodoo at the WACA as well as an Australian side scratching for form if they are to retain the Ashes in the third Test of the series starting Thursday. The tourists hold a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series after a thumping innings victory in Adelaide following a draw in Brisbane, and a win in Perth would guarantee they keep hold of the Ashes they won back in England last year. But England have a dismal record at a venue once famed for offering unrivalled pace and bounce, with just one victory in 11 attempts, way back in 1978 under skipper Mike Brearley. Australia have won their past five Ashes clashes in Perth but England coach Andy Flower said the side were not daunted by the weight of history. England do have a poor record in Perth, he said. One win in 11 and that was back in 1978 in World Series Cricket days.