3 minute read

Captain Joe Root insists England's Ashes hopes aren't over at 2-0 down, but concedes his team need to fix every key factor of their game to fashion a comeback.

For the second Ashes Test in a row, there are just three things frustrating England captain Joe Root.

The only problem for his side is that they are the major ones - namely, the team's efficacy with the bat, the ball and in the field.

"You have to be able to put the ball in the right areas for long enough," Root said after England's 275-run loss to Australia in Adelaide on Monday.

"You have to be able to score big runs, and if there's chances, you have to take them.

"The frustration within our dressing room is that we have missed out or we're not quite executing those basic things well enough for the second game in a row.

"And we need to respond very quickly."

Root has refused to give up on England's Ashes campaign after going 2-0 down, but he knows things must change.

In the first two Tests alone, England's tally of dropped catches is in double-figures and they've taken two wickets from no-balls while having just one batsman reach 10 in all four of his innings.

That desperate tale needs to change dramatically by Boxing Day, with England aiming to become just the second side in history to come back from two down to win a five-Test series.

One thing Root won't be frustrated about from Adelaide, though, is England's fight.

Jos Buttler's effort on day five to try and save a draw marked the gutsiest innings of his career, getting through 207 balls before treading on his stumps pushing back to Jhye Richardson.

It was an undeserving end to England's resistance, particularly after Buttler had fought back from his own struggles earlier in the Test.

"We have to absolutely believe," Root said.

"And have that same attitude that we went out today with.

"Because if we do that, I'm convinced we have got we need to win Test matches out here."

Buttler's role is one of several that selectors will weigh up this week.

He will retain his spot in England's team, but could lose the gloves to Jonny Bairstow after dropping three catches in Adelaide alone.

Ollie Pope is also under pressure to keep his spot at No.6, potentially creating room for Bairstow to come in.

Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns are under fire at the top of the order, although the latter did fight hard on night four in Adelaide.

England must also find a way to bring Mark Wood back in, with Root not willing to discuss selections but clearly hoping to have the rested quick available for all three remaining Tests.

"He is always going to offer something with that extra bit of pace he has," Root said.

"Hopefully, he is raring to go for the rest of the series."