Joe Root defends under-performing veterans after Ashes hiding at WACA

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. Four years after Alastair Cook's side surrendered the Ashes at the WACA in Perth with two matches to spare, Root's team handed back the urn just as meekly at the same venue on Monday with an innings and 41-run hiding before tea on day five. They will head to the Dec. 26 Melbourne test 3-0 behind in the series and with a number of questions over the futures of opener Cook and paceman Stuart Broad. Video: SNTV