Many have criticised the English temperament and inability to stand up in big moments so far in this Ashes series, and that has undoubtedly brought Brendon McCullum's men undone at times. But their issues began long before the first ball was bowled in Perth.
The decisions made when selecting their 16-man squad have to be questioned. The squad assembled by McCullum and his selection committee in September have left England significantly underprepared for the testing Australian conditions. We take a closer look and analyse some of those decisions that have led to their underwhelming campaign.
Ollie Pope
On the surface, it appears Ollie Pope has enjoyed a solid Test career to date, averaging 35 with the bat from 64 matches. But when you take a closer look, the numbers can 'lie'.
Pope has scored an incredible 196 against India on a deteriorating Hyderabad wicket, opposed to the likes of Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, proving he could be a solid long-term number three option for England. But scores of 205 and 171 against Test minnows Zimbabwe and Ireland have drastically inflated his Test average. If you remove these scores, Pope's average falls to 31.
He averages 17.6 against Australia, 27.1 against India (21.3 without his huge 196), 26.7 against Pakistan and 36.7 against New Zealand. The closer you look, the less sense his selection makes.
With the series all but gone, Pope may have played his last Test match, and you would think England look elsewhere for Melbourne. James Rew looks a future number three for England, boasting 11 first-class hundreds at just 21. He recently made 92* for the England Lions against Australia A.
Zak Crawley
Crawley is such an easy player to watch. Full-blooded cover drives and powerful pull shots, it is staggering that he averages just 31.8 in Test cricket.
He was good in Adelaide in the second innings, scoring 85 as his teammates fell at regular intervals due to a lack of composure. He also scored a first innings 76 in Brisbane to show his ability to counterpunch under pressure. But a first Test pair and having only passed ten three times in the first three Tests, you just never know what you are going to get.
Crawley will play in Melbourne, having been one of England's better players so far this series, but put simply, his career has been defined by moments rather than output, and you have to wonder how long England can persist with him at the top of the order.
Fellow opener Duckett has struggled this series, but his career numbers paint a far better picture than Crawley's. With no reserve opener in the squad, both will play in Melbourne and Sydney.
Will Jacks
Will Jacks' inclusion has created more questions than answers. He is a batting all-rounder, but has been stationed at number eight and is England's number one spin option despite averaging over 40 with the ball in Test and first-class cricket.
Jacks has opened the batting for England in limited-overs cricket. However, batting at number eight in Test cricket has limited his opportunity to influence games with the bat. Although he has shown some defiance with the willow, including a gritty second innings 47 in Adelaide as England mounted an unlikely quest for victory.
His bowling has lacked any sort of consistency, allowing Australian batters to score freely without significant risk. His combined figures of 3/212 from 39.3 overs in Adelaide show this, with his economy rate exceeding five runs per over.
England must either commit to him properly as a batsman or reconsider his place in the team. As it stands, his role has left England significantly unbalanced, as they have lacked control with the ball.
Brydon Carse
Strike-bowler Carse has endured an ordinary start in Australia. Despite taking five wickets and scoring a defiant 39* in the second dig in Adelaide, he has been expensive and inconsistent with the ball. His economy rate has exceeded four in every innings, and captain Ben Stokes has been unable to rely on him for long periods.
Team selection is as much about balance as performance, and with Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue already providing pace and hostility, England's attack has often lacked a bowler capable of sustained accuracy and control.
In that context, Gus Atkinson may have been the better fit, particularly in Adelaide. His ability to bowl long, disciplined spells could have complemented England's strike bowlers more effectively in Australian conditions, where patience is often rewarded.
Shoaib Bashir
Shoaib Bashir's selection in England's squad was a contentious call. Arriving in Australia without a county contract and with limited first-class experience, Bashir was always going to be under some sort of scrutiny.
While his potential is clear with his big frame and ability to spin and bounce the ball, the numbers paint a concerning picture. Bashir entered the series with a Test bowling average of 39 and a first-class average of around 50, hardly the profile of a bowler ready to play as a specialist spinner in Australia, where even some of the world's best tweakers have struggled.
Being young and inexperienced, England have chosen not to select their only specialist spinner in the first three Tests. Nathan Lyon's performance in Adelaide demonstrated the importance of selecting a specialist spinner in Australia, with his ability to tie down an end so captain Pat Cummins could rotate his quicks from the other end. Lyon also claimed five wickets.
Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell's selection again reflected England's willingness to prioritise potential over production too often. While Bethell is a gifted cricketer with undeniable talent, his red-ball credentials remain modest.
He is yet to register a first-class century, a clear concern, particularly given the testing nature of touring Australia. England had alternative options available, including youngsters James Rew and Asa Tribe, who are proven red-ball cricketers at just 21 years old and both averaging over 40 in first-class cricket.
Bethell may well develop into a quality Test cricketer, but this Ashes series has highlighted the dangers of fast-tracking players before they are proven performers in first-class cricket.
Changes for 4th/5th Test
Ollie Pope out: With confidence low and his technical flaws exposed by Australia's relentless bowling attack, Pope needs to be omitted. Responsibility at No.3 should instead fall to vice-captain Harry Brook or captain Ben Stokes.
Jacob Bethell to bat at six: Bethell's skill set is suited to the middle order where he can play with freedom. Although he isn't a proven long-form cricketer, the series is over and he will benefit from the experience.
Will Jacks omitted: If England are unwilling to commit to Jacks as a top-seven batsman, his selection becomes difficult to justify. Removing him would allow England to rebalance their XI.
Shoaib Bashir recalled as the specialist spinner: The Adelaide Test showed the value of a genuine spinner capable of tying down an end. Bashir's inclusion would allow England to manage their quicks more effectively.
Gus Atkinson in for Brydon Carse: With quick strike bowlers in Archer and Tongue already there, Atkinson's accuracy and discipline will offer England greater control.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett survive: Despite their inconsistencies, England doesn't have a reserve opener in the squad.
