Head coach Andy Flower believes that England are suffering from inconsistency rather than a lack of hunger in the current Ashes series.
The likes of Sir Ian Botham have called the tourists' desire into question after a 218-run defeat in Adelaide left England trailing the series 2-0 heading into the third Test in Perth.
"Usually in sporting contests, when there are losses - especially heavy losses - one of the first areas people look at is lack of fight, or the other side wanted it more," Flower told reporters. "That's quite a simplistic view.
"We've been outplayed in these two Tests, very obviously, and the Australians have outplayed us in all three facets. We haven't been skilful enough for long enough to get into better positions in the matches.
"That's the crux there. Our batting failed three times in a row. We played a little better in the fourth innings, but we need to up those skills and improve on that batting in Perth if we are to have any chance whatsoever."
Australia can reclaim The Ashes and end a run of three straight series losses to England with another win in the third Test, which gets underway at The WACA in Perth on December 13.
