Analysis: FIVE reasons why England lost The Ashes to Australia

Australia celebrate the final wicket to win the ashes during day five at the WACA. Picture: Jason O'Brien/PA

England's hopes of hanging on to the Ashes urn Down Under have disappeared after Australia took a decisive 3-0 series lead on day five in Perth.

The Ashes: England lose Ashes after being outclassed in Perth

Here, we look at how and why the defence has evaporated with two Tests still to play.

Discipline

England's Joe Root and Australia's Steve Smith have enjoyed differing series. Picture: Jason O'Brien/PA

The moment Ben Stokes was arrested over a late-night incident in Bristol the entire tenor of the Ashes shifted. Stokes was more than England’s vice-captain, more than their fourth seamer and more than than their most effective counter-attacking batsman. He was the side’s heart and soul and the pivot around which the rest of the side balanced.

The precise details are yet to be established by police but at the least he fell short of the highest professional standards in the midst of an international series against the West Indies.

Jonny Bairstow took a loose view of the management’s subsequent warnings over behaviour when he bizarrely, but apparently playfully, greeted Australia opener Cameron Bancroft with a bar-room headbutt.

By the time Lions batsman Ben Duckett poured a drink on Jimmy Anderson’s head in the same Perth bar, the tour was more derailed off the pitch than on it.

England's Dawid Malan walks off after being dismissed during day five at the WACA. Picture: Jason O'Brien/PA