England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has admitted the first innings collapse in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide was the most embarrassing performance he has been involved in for his country.

Prior was out for a duck as England fell for 172 runs in a match which saw them lose by 218 to go 2-0 behind in defence of the Ashes.

Prior, who plays for Sussex wrote in his column in the Daily Telegraph: ''The first innings collapse in Adelaide was as embarrassing a performance as I have been involved in with England. The disappointing thing was how people got out. You are representing your country and that is not a performance anybody expects from this team.''

Prior insisted that there was no lack of desire in the England team to win.

''There are people questioning our desire and hunger and that really hurts because it means we have been giving the wrong impression, but nobody wants to win the Ashes more than us.

''We have taken flak for it and rightly so. There are times as a sportsman you have to be honest. You cannot turn away from it and make excuses or look for positives. We were horrendous and there have been honest chats and words spoken.''

Prior insisted that England would bid to turn around the series in the third Test in Perth, needing a victory to stop Australia reclaiming the Ashes.

''We know we are up against it. We like doing it the hard way and it does not come any harder for an English cricketer than having to go to Perth and win. But if we manage to come back it will be one of the best fightbacks ever and we have to look at it that way.''