Joe Root holds 'honest chat' with England players in attempt to halt Ashes humiliation

Captain Joe Root had an 'honest chat' with his beleaguered England players after losing the second Ashes Test, coach Chris Silverwood has revealed.

England have been well-beaten in Brisbane and Adelaide and are in danger of another humiliating whitewash Down Under.

Root spoke out after the second Test, publicly expressing his disappointment with his bowlers for pitching the ball too short.

The inquest continued after Root's media commitments were complete too, with Silverwood lifting the lid on the stark conversations that the skipper led on Monday night.

"What you saw was what we got in the dressing room after," he said. "We had a really good talk, which was needed.

"There were a few things thrown out there. There were some honest chats, which was great. It was good and it was healthy, we had a really good talk which was needed. We will move forward.

"I think there are some lessons to be learned - he is right. We have to learn quickly. We have to be better - it's a simple as that."

The statistics make for grim reading in the England camp, beyond the broader concern of the series scoreline. Australia have the top three run-scorers, the top five individual innings and the top three wicket-takers, leaving their opponents in the shade.

Silverwood acknowledged the uncomfortable truth that the best role models for his players were their opposite numbers in the Baggy Green caps.

"Australia have showed us how to play in their conditions," he said.

"We have to take those lessons into the next game and make sure we learn from them. Look at how they played in their conditions, what we can learn from it and how we can move forward."

England travelled from Adelaide to Melbourne on Tuesday, and will consider squad options once training resumes at the cavernous MCG.

Fast bowler Mark Wood is a virtual certainty to come into an attack that missed his searing speed, while any of Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence could come into consideration to stiffen a batting order that has yet to get going.

Haseeb Hameed and Ollie Pope would appear most vulnerable following signs of fight from Rory Burns and Jos Buttler last time out.