England batter Harry Brook has admitted he may need to slightly rein in his natural attacking instincts as the Ashes hang in the balance ahead of the third Test against Australia in Adelaide this week.

Despite England’s heavy defeats in the opening two Tests, head coach Brendon McCullum reiterated on Sunday that the team’s aggressive batting philosophy will remain unchanged. Brook, however, acknowledged that poor shot selection has contributed to his modest returns of 98 runs across four innings so far in the series.

Also Read: Josh Hazlewood out, Pat Cummins in? Big changes ahead for Australia in Adelaide

Reflecting on his dismissals in Perth and Brisbane, the 26-year-old did not shy away from criticism. “I’ll admit that every day of the week, especially the one in Perth. It was nearly a bouncer and I tried to drive it. That was just bad batting,” Brook said at the Adelaide Oval on Monday, ahead of the third Test starting Wednesday.

“The one in Brisbane, I tried to hit for six. That’s what I mean when I say I might need to rein it in a bit. I could have just taken a single and got down the other end. I don’t regret them, but if I was there again, I’d play them slightly differently.”

With Australia needing just one more win to clinch the series and retain the Ashes, Brook said the England camp had spoken about staying present and not getting ahead of themselves. He also praised the discipline of Australia’s bowlers while admitting England have fallen short in key moments.

“In pressure situations, we haven’t been good enough so far,” Brook said. “When it’s been head-to-head, they’ve managed to be the better side and get in front. We’ve got to stand up in those moments, read the game better and show a bit more grit and determination.”

Brook has faced scrutiny following England’s poor start to the series, but said he remains focused solely on his own preparation.

“I don’t read any of the criticism,” he said. “I just crack on with my game and focus on what I’m trying to do. These are the moments you want to turn up in. You want to be the one who takes the game away from them.

“So hopefully I can stick to my processes, stay in the moment and see what happens.”