England need to finally move away from their high-risk, attacking 'Bazball' style of cricket and get back to basics after their Ashes series defeat, former captain Michael Vaughan told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

Rock-solid Jacob Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century Wednesday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge.

Run-machine Travis Head hit a swashbuckling 163 and Steve Smith a composed unbeaten 129 as Australia built a 134-run lead over England to seize control on day three of the fifth and final Ashes Test on Tuesday.

Joe Root went level with Ricky Ponting in equal-third in the all-time men's Test century list, bringing up his 41st hundred.

Opening batsman Travis Head hopes Australia and England will share a drink after the Ashes winds up in Sydney to revive a tradition that fell by the wayside after the 2023 series.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer was included in England's provisional T20 World Cup squad Tuesday, despite suffering a left side strain that ruled him out of the final two Ashes Tests.

Jacob Bethell was not supposed to be England's headline act in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but he looked like a player who belonged when the tourists made their nervous chase for victory against Australia.

An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic day one of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge.

England pace spearhead Jofra Archer was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series Wednesday with a side strain while batsman Ollie Pope was axed for the fourth Test against Australia.

Emotional captain Ben Stokes Wednesday said protecting England players' welfare was his top concern amid claims of excessive drinking on a mid-Ashes beach break, without directly addressing the allegations.

England managing director Rob Key pledged Tuesday to investigate whether players' drinking on a mid-Ashes beach break went too far, after reports said it had been like a "stag-do."

Batting coach Marcus Trescothick said England would keep "fighting and scrapping" as the Ashes slipped from their grip Thursday, while paying tribute to a dehydrated Ben Stokes.

A composed Alex Carey slammed a majestic 106 on his home ground and Usman Khawaja hit a defiant 82 Wednesday to put Australia in the driving seat of the third Ashes Test against England.

Police armed with rifles will be part of a beefed up security presence at the third Test between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval after the Bondi Beach shooting attacks, officials said, while flags will be flown at half-mast.

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes following a recurrence of a left knee injury sustained during the first Test in Perth.

Australia captain Steve Smith has declined to rule out a surprise return for fast bowler Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test against England, while backing middle order option Josh Inglis to make a difference if picked by selectors.

Australia's Ashes match-winner Travis Head said he was wary of inciting England's fast bowlers as he slogged his way to a stunning century in the first Test in Perth.

He expects England to make a serious challenge for their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

The 32-year-old is enjoying arguably the best campaign of his career with 23 goals in 17 appearances for Bayern.

Australia was dealt a huge blow Saturday with pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England with a hamstring strain, joining Pat Cummins on the sidelines.