England look set to retain the same batting line-up for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after head coach Brendon McCullum gave their top seven his strong backing, warning against "knee-jerk reactions" after going 2-0 down to Australia .

England have been bowled out for 172, 164, 334 and 241 across the first two Tests, and only one of their batters - Joe Root - is averaging more than 30. Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith have both found their positions under scrutiny after failing to contribute in Brisbane, with Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings as the spare batter .

But McCullum said that England will stick with the players who have formed their first-choice top seven for the last 18 months, and argued that conditions at Adelaide Oval will suit England more than the pace and boun

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