England captain Alastair Cook has insisted that his side have learned from their past mistakes heading into the third Test of the Ashes on Thursday.

The Three Lions led the last two series 1-0 but lost at Headingley and Perth in respective years, before going on to recover and win the sequence.

Cook's team currently lead 2-0 prior to the tie at Old Trafford where at least a draw would help them retain the Ashes, and he is adamant that England will not be thinking too far ahead.

"It is a great opportunity we have but you can't start thinking about anything other than the first hour," Cook said at a press conference.

"At Headingley we did start thinking too far ahead. I admit I do remember saying 'if we win here we win the Ashes'. There was that mentality and we forgot about the hard work.

"In Perth, I think you have to give credit to the way Australia played in that game. I don't think it was anything to do with it being 1-0 in the series. It wasn't a do-or-die game as such and they outskilled us."

England have never whitewashed Australia in an Ashes series of five or more matches.