McCullum admits to Ashes mistakes

HEAD coach Brendon McCullum has admitted that mistakes in England's Ashes preparations played a part in his side's downfall Down Under.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Ben Stokes applauds the travelling England fans alongside Joe Root and Jamie Smith after losing the third Test

A team that travelled with wind in its sails has been brutally brought to heel by Australia, who have secured the urn again with a hat-trick of thumping wins in Perth, Brisbane and now Adelaide.

England finally took a Test match into the fifth day in South Australia, making a spirited attempt to hunt down a world record target of 435 but ultimately falling 82 short.

It has been a chastening experience for a team whose buccaneering 'Bazball' stylings have been worn down by their relentless opponents.

They have been criticised for taking the buildup period too lightly - be it a solitary warm-up against the England Lions on a slow pitch, their refusal to take up a day-night practice match before the floodlit second Test or their mid-series beach break to Noosa - with a string of former England captains among those to have their say.