Former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes has called for England skipper Nasser Hussain to be immediately replaced after the tourists crashed to an innings defeat at Adelaide.
Hughes accused Hussain of "giving up" as Australia went 2-0 up in the Ashes series and urged England's selectors to find a new captain before next week's third Test in Perth.
"Nasser Hussain has fired all his shots and he is firing blanks.
"The England selectors would do well to think of a new England captain for Perth," Hughes told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.
"In my mind, he just gave up. His field placings were as if he had a complete lack of interest of what was going on.
"They had no plan formulated to get Australian wickets and the Australian batsmen could do what they liked."
But his comments were rejected by England's chairman of selectors David Graveney, who said he would stand by Hussain.
Steve Waugh has denied he was insulted by England's tactics of treating him like a tailender while batting on Saturday, but made it clear that the surprising tactic gave him extra motivation.
Opposing captain Nasser Hussain pushed the field back to allow century maker Ricky Ponting singles so that Waugh, who is averaging 26 from his past 14 Tests, would be on strike more regularly.
"There's two ways of looking at it and the way I'm looking at it is that it's a very nice compliment that they put so much resources into getting me out and forget about a guy who's 100 not out," Waugh said.
"Three down for 300, I think I was looking at the right scoreboard at the time.
"They're entitled to their tactics. I don't think they worked."
Waugh said a ton for NSW last week had lifted his game.
"I love a good contest and in some ways, when something like that does happen, it does fire you up a bit more," he said.
"In a funny sort of way it did me a favour."
Hussain denied he was playing mind games with 37-year-old Waugh, who has played more Tests and scored more runs than any Australian except Allan Border.
After being humbled and destroyed by Steve Waugh's rampant Test team, England captain Nasser Hussain plans to use the Australians as role models in a bid to revive his shattered team.
Australia yesterday romped to their 10th victory from their last 11 Tests and effectively bankrolled their eighth successive Ashes series win when they bulldozed England (159) into submission by an innings and 51 runs in the Second Test, again with a day to spare, in Adelaide.
It was Waugh's 31st win as Test captain (one behind Allan Border's Australian record) and his 20th inside four days.
Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0. And the bad news for England is that life can only get worse, for batsmen-friendly Adelaide was deemed the venue that suited them most - this week's Third Test in hostile Perth was always expected to be their Heartbreak Hotel.
Waugh felt the Australians are playing as well as when they set a record 16 Test wins in succession.
Durham all-rounder Paul Collingwood has been called up to England's Ashes squad for this week's third Test against Australia in Perth.
Collingwood will provide cover for injury doubts Michael Vaughan (shoulder) and John Crawley (thigh) after impressing in England's one-day side for the past 18 months.
Collingwood, 26, has been playing grade cricket in Melbourne.
"He has been called up as cover for the batting just for this next Test and we will make a decision after that," said England coach Duncan Fletcher.
"He has been playing in Melbourne, so he shouldn't have any trouble with jet lag or acclimatisation."
Vaughan was hit by a Jason Gillespie bouncer while scoring 177 in Adelaide but he came out to make 41 in the second innings and should be fit for Friday's Test at the WACA.
England fast bowler Simon Jones fears he may be out of action for 10 months as he starts his battle to overcome a serious knee injury.
Jones ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee in a freak accident while fielding on day one of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.
He expects to undergo an operation on Friday to rebuild his knee, but faces a long road back to full fitness.
"I've heard lots of views but it could take from six to 10 months, so it could be a long time," he said.
"I'll try to keep positive and work really hard. I see this as character building.
"I've had stress fractures of the foot and shin in the past and I have always come back, so I don't think this will stop me.
"I just want to get back on the international scene and prove what I can do."
Paceman Andy Caddick has joined England's growing injury list and may be in doubt for the third Test against Australia starting in Perth on Friday.
Caddick has been suffering back spasms and was unable to bowl after tea in the Adelaide Test on Saturday. On Sunday, he batted number 11, instead of nine.
Hussain told SkySports News: "The injury situation has been ridiculous really."
England are reviewing the crisis and may have to consider replacements.
