Jonny Bairstow gives verdict on England’s batting after another Ashes collapse

England’s slim Ashes hopes have been thrown further into disarray following their latest collapse with the bat during their first innings of the third Test in Melbourne

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Jonny Bairstow has urged his England team-mates to be ‘stronger and tougher’ with the bat after yet another collapse against their old foes Australia at the Ashes.

England have endured a nightmare Ashes so far, and only victory will do in the third Ashes Test following resounding defeats in the opening two in Brisbane and Adelaide.

However, once again Joe Root’s side got off to the worst possible start with the bat, with Australia pinning England down to 19-2 early on before they were eventually skittled out for just 185.

Australia finished the opening day at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on 61-1 and are already heavy favourites to claim victory in the third test which would seal their Ashes triumph.

England are in need of some sort of miracle to salvage something against their old foes, and Bairstow – who was recalled to the side and put on 35 runs – has issued a rallying cry to his compatriots.

“We’ve got to get a bit stronger and tougher with our dismissals,” he said.

“We know that and we’ve spoken about that, that is just being honest with ourselves. I can tell you now everyone is trying.

“It’s one of those days that we will look back on, probably reassess next time and potentially take different options. We’re still searching for that big score.”

The tourists are in disarray, and need a rapid start with the ball on day two at the MCG if they are to stand any chance of rescuing the Ashes series.

And following another dismal day down under, Root’s side have been slammed by all quarters with Australia on the brink of defending the urn.

Nasser Hussain was vocal in the aftermath of the opening day of the third Test, labelling England’s batting collapse as “Groundhog Day” in his column for the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, fellow former England skipper Michael Vaughan ripped into England.

Vaughan told Fox Cricket: “So far the only thing they’ve done right on the trip is turn up on time. They’ve got pretty much everything wrong – selection, tactics have not quite been right.”