‘We’re not out of it just yet’

– Captain Joe Root (below) says England are “still massively” in the Ashes series after a second heavy Test defeat to Australia yesterday left his side facing a last stand in the third Test.

The Australians sealed a 120run victory in the second Adelaide Test after a crushing 10-wicket triumph in the Brisbane opener, putting England’s hopes of retaining the Ashes on the line in Perth next week.

Compounding England’s task is the fact that the tourists have not beaten Australia at Perth’s Waca Ground since 1978.

But Root put on a bold face and said there was belief in the England camp that they can turn things around in the five-Test series and not head in the same direction as the 5-0 whitewash on the last tour in 2013/14.

“The way we batted in that second innings proved we are still massively in this series, simple as that,” Root told reporters.

“We’ve shown throughout the two Tests in periods we can outperform Australia, but just not over five days.

“If we can perform to our ability for longer periods of time we’ll win games.”

Root said he “strongly disagreed” with the notion that his team are heading for the same fate as Alastair Cook’s tourists four years ago.

“I don’t think we’re in the same situation (as last tour), we’re much better than that. We’re in a much better place,” he said.

Root said he was disappointed in himself for not leading the way on the final day after getting dismissed on his overnight score of 67 in the day’s third over by Josh Hazlewood.

“In big series senior players have to step up and lead from the front and I tried to do that last night, but unfortunately this morning I couldn’t carry that on,” he lamented.

“That’s really disappointing as someone who wants to lead from the front and show the guys, to lead the way. That hurts me a lot personally.” – AFP