England have lost the Ashes in 12 days with their most recent loss an innings and 14-run loss at MCG. Australia as a result have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead and will look to win four on the bounce when the two teams meet again at SCG, starting January 4.

England have now lost 12 of their last 13 Tests in Australia with one ending in a draw. England fast bowler James Anderson believes that he though his side had a chance of winning the series Down Under, but things have not gone to plan.

"The first three games have been really gutting. The lads are pretty flat at the minute," Anderson said.

"I genuinely thought we had a good chance when we came over here," Anderson, 39, told Test Match Special.

"I thought the squad we've got would be able to compete, but it's clearly not gone to plan. 

"The more senior players have to rally round and make sure everyone is in a good headspace to compete because the first three games have been really gutting."

Despite a poor series so far, Anderson, who is England's leading wicket-taker in Tests, says his side needs to give it their all in the next two matches.

"I think we've just got to throw absolutely everything at the next two games," Anderson added.

"We're aware that we've got so much support and I know people are getting up in the middle of the night watching us as well at home.

"We are just gutted that we're not performing for those people and giving them what they want to see."

Anderson has also called for a balance between red and white-ball in domestic cricket back home. "There has been a huge [change of] direction with white-ball cricket and I think that, at the minute, it's tipped slightly towards white ball," Anderson added.

"If you look at our performances in Test cricket over the last few years, they've been pretty inconsistent.

"So, from that point of view we can hopefully just redress that balance a little bit."