England captain Ben Stokes has urged his team to "show a bit of dog" in the crucial third Ashes Test against Australia, which begins on Wednesday in Adelaide.
Down 2-0 in the series, England face a must-win scenario at the Adelaide Oval. The team must snap its 17-match winless drought in Australia to keep any hope of regaining the urn alive.
Following the second Test defeat at the Gabba, Stokes pulled no punches, saying that his dressing room was "no place for weak men".
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He has since admitted the team held "raw" conversations in the days afterwards.
Asked if an on-field fighting instinct comes more naturally to him than his teammates during his pre-match press conference, Stokes challenged his team to rally and "show a bit of dog".
"It's a word that I think people don't really understand what it means. What it means to me could be completely different to someone else," he said.
"It's just trying to fight in every situation that you find yourself in, and understanding the situation and what you feel is required for your team. Just look at your opposition every single time and show a bit of dog. That's fight to me.
"As long as you go out there and everyone is in that mindset around the situation, and what is needed, you're giving yourself the best possible chance if you've got a bit of dog in you."
Stokes revealed his team held "meaningful conversations" and is now using their third Test victory against India at Lord's in July as a source of inspiration.
In that match, England prevailed by just 22 runs in a thrilling finish.
"That's exactly what I'm on about," Stokes said of the contest.
"That was a moment where we all did that, we all noticed, and we all identified that moment.
"You saw the way the team came out on that day. We were probably in a situation where we would have to be absolutely perfect to win that game, and we were. On the back of attitude, mentality towards that specific situation is what gave us the best chance of winning that game."
England resisted making sweeping changes, with Stokes addressing the decision to omit spinner Shoaib Bashir from the XI in Adelaide.
The tourists have made just one change from Brisbane, with pace bowler Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson for his first appearance this series, while all-rounder Will Jacks retained his place ahead of Bashir.
While Stokes claimed Bashir remains England's first-choice specialist spinner, the 22-year-old was left out in Adelaide — a pitch known to assist spin, with temperatures hitting 39 degrees.
Bashir was left out following poor returns of 2-266 in two tour matches.
"I wouldn't say it's got anything to do against Bash whatsoever," Stokes said.
"The main thing is we're 2-0 down. We need to win the next three.
"We feel having Jacksy down at number eight obviously strengthens our batting a little bit deeper if we need to go there, and he's more than capable enough to handle that role with the ball when we need to call upon it."
On Sunday, England coach Brendon McCullum dismissed speculation that his job could be on the line if England loses this week, claiming it "does not really bother me".
Stokes echoed that defiance, asserting he will not lead with an agenda to safeguard his own position.
Under intense pressure, Stokes then demanded that every player prioritise the collective success of the team over any hint of self-interest.
"If people are trying to protect themselves over the greater good, which is the team, and look after their own back, I'm certainly never going to do that," he said.
"My job is to captain this team, and I'll do everything I can to lead the team in the best possible way that I can.
"As soon as I start thinking I'm going to look after myself here, that's certainly nothing that I ever will do and certainly nothing that Brendon will do. We both give everything that we possibly can towards the team, and it will always be like that as long as we are both in these roles."
England now stands at the point of no return in yet another Australian Ashes series. The visitors have lost the previous three Ashes series abroad by the crushing margins of 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0.
Australia's preparations for the third Ashes Test hit a snag with Steve Smith sidelined from training at Adelaide Oval with illness.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith sat out Australia's training session on Monday with illness, but he is expected to be fit to play on Wednesday.
The third Test begins at 10.30am (AEDT).
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