Andrew Strauss has warned his England team ahead of complacency ahead of the third Ashes Test in Perth.

The resounding innings victory in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval should give the tourists a significant edge in confidence, but Strauss knows it is as dangerous to underplay that as to overplay it.

"We've obviously got some good momentum in the series from how we played in Adelaide," he said. "But that counts for nothing if we give it away here.

"It's about us keeping our feet on the ground, remembering what we've done well so far in the series and making sure we replicate that."

England have had a week of normality - the drawn tour match against Victoria in Melbourne was an especially dreary affair - since outplaying Australia in Adelaide.

And Strauss thinks that should work to their advantage.

"In a lot of ways it's a good thing because you can get too caught up in the euphoria and expect to just be able to turn up and bowl teams out again," he added. "That's not the way cricket works.

"You've got to earn the right to get on top of opposition sides. So it's been quite helpful in a sense to get away from it for a few days, let it sink in, come to Perth and realise these are going to be slightly different conditions."

England will decide tomorrow morning who gets the final place in their team as seam-bowling replacement for the injured Stuart Broad.

Ever since he left the tour with a series-ending abdominal tear eight days ago, 6ft 8in Chris Tremlett has been the obvious like-for-like frontrunner to come in at a venue renowned for its bounce and pace, with Tim Bresnan the other main contender.

Either way, though, Strauss appears to be shying away from the prospect of an out-and-out bouncer war, even against Australia's replacement opener Phil Hughes, who has appeared ill at ease against the short ball in the past.

"We're quite fortunate in that we spent 10 days here, preparation-wise, at the start of the tour and played a three-day match," Strauss added. "So I think the guys know what sort of lengths you need to bowl on this wicket.

"But generally in Australia, and I think even more so here, it's about consistency; building up pressure and being able to do it for six balls an over, not four or five.

"That's one thing we've done pretty well in this series and, I hope, we'll be able to continue."

James Anderson is back to lead the attack after returning to England to attend the birth of his second daughter.

"Jimmy's fine, absolutely spot on," Strauss said. "He feels happy that he's managed to get there for the birth and he's brought back that slightly euphoric feeling with him.

"He's cock-a-hoop, excited about playing in this game, and obviously we need him to stand up and play a leading role for us."

Hughes and Steven Smith, 22 and 21 years old respectively, are set to play for Australia and Strauss feels their youth may cost them against a more mature England.

"Age is not a good indicator of how successful someone is going to be," he said. "Just because someone is more experienced doesn't mean they're going to score more runs.

"But there's more inexperience in their side than there has been in the past. If we can take advantage of that, that's a good thing."

Conversely, Strauss is well aware that Australia are habitually successful at the WACA against most opponents.

"Australia's record here is very good, so that suggests they're better at adapting to these conditions than other teams," he admitted.

"But that means it's a great opportunity for us to show we're a better side than we used to be."