BITTER ASHES:

Bitter disappointment for captain after series is lost after just three Tests

A dejected Chris Woakes leaves the field, marking the end of England’s Ashes hopes as Australia claimed victory in the Third Test at the Waca to assume an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

Joe Root insists his England team cannot be faulted for effort despite losing the Ashes at the earliest opportunity this winter.

England’s attempted Perth rearguard amounted to 218 all out and defeat by an innings and 41 runs after Australia had racked up 662 for nine declared – their highest Ashes total on home soil – on the way to a series-sealing 3-0 scoreline.

While Root’s opposite number Steve Smith was holding back tears of joy in the home dressing room, and England coach Trevor Bayliss found himself defending his position, the Yorkshireman spoke of ‘bitter disappointment’ but unsurprisingly refused to play the blame game with any of his players.

His predecessor Alastair Cook and fellow Ashes veteran Stuart Broad are among those who have failed to live up to their billing over the past month.

But Root emphasised the graft put in by one and all, and even wondered aloud whether he himself has perhaps been trying too hard for his own good.

“It’s bitterly disappointing,” he said. “(But) they tried absolutely everything. It wasn’t for the lack of effort.

“We went through every plan different fields, bowling straight, hanging it wide, every now and again a bit of bumper warfare. It felt like we didn’t leave anything to chance.”

Root was left bemoaning the same factors here as in Brisbane and Adelaide – that England matched Australia, even out-performed them at times, but simply not for long enough.

“I don’t think these three games are a fair reflection of how we’ve played and what we’re capable of,” he added.

“Probably the biggest thing that has been to my detriment is trying too hard.”

Asked about the meagre contributions of old hands like Cook and Broad, Root spelled out that he and Bayliss retain faith in players with world-class records.

“It is very important, for me and Trevor, that we don’t panic or make hasty decisions,” he said.

“One of the most frustrating things is that we haven’t been blown away or completely outplayed.

“We have put up some really good performances in all three matches – simple as that, really – just not for long enough.

“There have been periods when we have matched and outplayed Australia,” he added.