Joe Root: 'England have been making basic mistakes during Ashes'

Joe Root has claimed that England "have nothing to lose" as they bid to remain in the Ashes series with Australia.

Having suffered heavy defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide, England head into the third Test in Melbourne requiring a victory to keep their faint hopes alive.

Speaking ahead of the game, Root has acknowledged that 'honest conversations' have taken place, admitting that his team have made numerous "basic mistakes" during the opening double-header.

The England captain told BBC Radio 5 live: "We've addressed it as a group. We spoke and had a very honest discussion at the end of the game. It was quite clear where we need to make improvements.

"I'm not someone that's going to stand there and make excuses. The fact is, the mistakes that we've made have been, I don't think they've been intricate little things, they've been quite basic ones.

"In many ways, there's nothing to lose. We have to go out there and win. And I've got a sense that everyone's in the right frame of mind to do that."

England are expected to make at least two changes to their starting lineup for the contest which begins on Boxing Day.