Ben Stokes has denied that England will struggle to motivate themselves for the final two Ashes Tests with defeat now inevitable.

Australia have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with victories in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, meaning that they can repeat their feat of six years ago by recording a 5-0 whitewash.

This is what the tourists are trying to avoid, and Stokes - England's only centurion in the series to date - said that they are up for the challenge, starting with the fourth Test in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

"No I don't think so," he told reporters when asked if England would struggle for motivation. "There's still a lot to play for - personal pride and playing in front of a 100,000 at the MCG on Boxing Day, I don't think that will take much getting up for.

"It's going to be pretty special for everyone but we'll still be going out there, trying to win these last two Test matches."

The final Test gets underway in Sydney on January 2.