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Joe Root will wait until after the Hobart Test to make a call on his long-term future as England skipper.
England captain Joe Root says he will consider his position as captain after the Ashes is completed as he aims to steer his side away from a humiliating whitewash.
Root's captaincy has come under fresh scrutiny in the aftermath of Australia clinching the series in Melbourne after England suffered a record nine defeats under his leadership last year.
Root's performances with the bat last year were unquestionable - he scored 1708 runs at an average of 61 - but the skipper and coach Chris Silverwood have found themselves under the pump for England's diabolical showing in Australia.
Ahead of Wednesday's fourth Test start at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the 31-year-old sidestepped questions over his desire to lead England in the future but hinted he would consider his role after the fifth Test in Hobart.
"It's been very challenging, we've had a lot to deal with on and off the field and we've been trying to manage it the best we can," he said on Monday.
"I'll look at my future beyond this tour at the end of it.
"I don't think that's a distraction that should be around the group or I should be wasting energy on right now.
"I need to make sure I throw everything I can into these two games. I think I owe that to this team."
Root heads into the fourth Test 3-0 down for the third straight tour and said he would try "to not make the same mistakes".
He cited England's abject performances with the bat and inability to handle the pressure as reasons for their current predicament.
England's preparations for Sydney have been further hampered by Silverwood testing positive to COVID-19 and other members of the coaching staff being forced to isolate.
Graham Thorpe will take over Silverwood's duties but Root was keen to press home that now more than ever England needed to rise to the occasion.
"We've got two games to show how much we care," he added.
"Those guys in that dressing room really care. We are better than the results we've put in and we've got two chances to try and get something from the rest of this tour.
"We need to stand up in a bit of adversity because we're all feeling for those guys in isolation.
"Whether it's the same voices or different voices (in the dressing room), we need to stand up and show we are a better team.
"Don't see that as a heavy burden, but see it as a chance to make some big Test runs and come away from this trip with something."
