Australia’s prediction to end English careers coming to fruition as Cook, Broad, Anderson continue to struggle

NATHAN Lyon was pilloried for saying this Ashes series may end careers, but he might prove to be Nostradamus with three England legends’ futures now hanging by a thread.

Stuart Broad went wicketless at the WACA.

NATHAN Lyon was pilloried for saying this Ashes series may end careers but he might prove to be Nostradamus.

England were on their knees at the WACA and the futures of star players Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson hanging by a thread.

Lyon shredded through Joe Root with his very first ball to also leave the England skipper with plenty to digest on the impact the captaincy is having on his batting.

England cricket appears at a major crossroads and if Australia can execute a second Ashes whitewash in as many tours down under it would be a damning indictment on the ECB system and culture.

Stuart Broad went wicketless at the WACA.

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Cook has looked a shadow of his former self in his 150th Test match and despite his determination to play on, the wolves are now at the door.

An average of 13 this series and a highest score of 37 from his past 10 Test innings is becoming a serious worry for an England side desperate for good starts.

The drums are beating even louder for Broad – the fallen Ashes pantomime villain who appears all but out of steam.

Broad finished with bruising figures of 0-142 – the equal 12th worst performance by a fast bowler in the history of Test match cricket.

Anderson ultimately finished with four wickets, but like in Adelaide, it was too little too late by the time he found his mark.

Alastair Cook’s incredible career looks all but over.

In the day-night Test, Anderson at least ripped into Steve Smith with the verbals, but he was as quiet as a church mouse at the WACA – less inclined to get in the face of opponents when the ball isn’t swinging and his team are behind on the scoreboard.

Josh Hazlewood heaped further pressure on Cook (14) thanks to a blinding caught-and-bowled grab where he somehow pulled in a return drive low to his right as the big fast bowler dived at the end of his follow-through.

Hazlewood feasted on the crack that had opened up down the Lillee-Marsh end at the WACA and his own keeper Tim Paine was there to take the first offering, with Mark Stoneman the first victim as he edged behind for just 3.

LISTEN: Ben Horne and Crash Craddock review day three and four of the third Test in Perth with Australia in the box seat to claim the series

England finished day four at 4-132 with rain their only potential saviour after Australia nailed down their highest ever score against England on home soil – a mammoth 9 (dec)-662.

Run-scoring machines Steve Smith (239) and Mitchell Marsh (181) weren’t able to continue the fun on day four, but Tim Paine (49 not out) and Pat Cummins (41) took the reins and piled on 93 together to give Australia a commanding lead of 259 with four-and-a-half sessions up their sleeve.

James Anderson has only showed glimpses of his best.

Australia’s extraordinary batting performance eclipsed the 8-659 they scored against England at the SCG in 1946 when Bradman made a Smithesque 234.

It was an innings which virtually destroyed England’s spirit, and the tourists were left relying on first innings heroes Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow to save the Test match.

England’s cause wasn’t helped by the fact they lost third seamer Craig Overton to a cracked rib and it would seem highly unlikely he will play at the MCG on Boxing Day.

However, the injury didn’t prevent England’s bowling performance being ranked as an unmitigated disaster, with Broad, Anderson, Overton and Moeen Ali all going for 100 runs each – only the fourth quartet in history to be consigned to such punishment.

Anderson is 35 and Broad 31, and while they might have another burst left on home soil where the ball swings, there must be serious doubts about whether they can be risked away from home.

Captain Joe Root questioned Anderson’s leadership as vice-captain after he was out late and had a drink poured over his head in Perth.

Former Australian quick Stuart Clark said both Broad and Anderson had undermined Root in Adelaide.