Inconsistency the cause of England's failure

If only England could bat well twice in the same Test match, this Ashes series would still be alive.

As it is, their rank inconsistency with the bat has helped Australia take an unassailable 3-0 lead.

England's dreams of retaining the urn have been shattered, but England must rally for the last two Tests, at Melbourne and Sydney.

They owe it to themselves, the thousands of travelling fans and the bleary-eyed TV spectators at home to restore some pride and avoid a 5-0 drubbing.

There is no doubting Australia's status as the world's premier Test nation.

Even so, England's inability to reproduce the form and resilience of 2005 has been extremely frustrating.

At Adelaide and Perth, they were in a commanding position after the first innings of the match before losing the plot.

England were simply unable to match Australia's skill, intensity and self-belief in the crucial sessions of each match.

There have been some fine individual performances from England players, most notably Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Hoggard and Monty Panesar.

However, England have not fired as a team and only the exceptional Kevin Pietersen has truly enjoyed a good series, averaging almost 80.

The Hampshire batsman is the only England player selected for all three matches to have justified his own and England's heady reputation.

*Rob Wightman is co-writer of Match of My Life - The Ashes (Know The Score Books, £16.99), in which 12 Ashes legends, including Geoff Boycott, David Gower and Glenn McGrath, reveal their favourite Tests. Call 01527 454482 now to order at the special price of £15 (p&p free).