Root defends senior pros

England captain Joe Root refused to blame his senior players for the tourists' stunning Ashes defeat but lamented his own failures to lead the way with the bat against Australia.

Former skipper Alastair Cook has scored only 83 runs in the series at an average of 13.83, comfortably the worst of England's specialist batsmen. England's most prolific Test runscorer was playing his 150th test at the WACA.

Veteran seamer Stuart Broad went wicketless for 142 runs as Australia racked up a mammoth 662 for 9 declared, his worst test bowling figures.

Meanwhile, spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali has managed only three wickets for the series at a miserable 105.33 apiece.

Root, appointed captain only in February, backed Broad and Cook to still be playing for England in 12 months' time.

"I'd like to think so," the 26-year-old captain told reporters.

"They've got huge amounts of experience and they do offer a lot to the group and their performances over a long period of time speak for themselves.

"They've been in situations where things haven't gone for them before and that's why they've played so many games.

"It's important we don't panic and make hasty decisions after three games."

Root turned the focus on his own failures with the bat, having been dismissed for 20 and 14 in Perth when his team desperately needed a big captain's knock.

"Probably the thing that's been my biggest detriment is trying too hard," said Root, who is averaging 29.33 for the series.

"I've been desperate for us to win this series. Things just haven't felt like they've run for me out in the middle," he added.