JOE GIVES BAZBALL NOT OUT

Former skipper goes to bat for England management

- FROM RORY DOLLARD in MELBOURNE

JOE ROOT insists England's players remain "absolutely committed" to the current regime after an overdue Ashes win in Melbourne eased some of the mounting pressure.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key both faced questions over their future after England surrendered the urn with three consecutive defeats, but the prospect of a whitewash is now gone after a two-day victory at the MCG.

Having stemmed the bleeding with a first win in 19 Tests in Australia, they have one more chance to end a damaging tour on a positive note when they head to Sydney for the New Year Test.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board will still want to know what went wrong and what changes need to be made when the dust settles.