The Ashes 2013: Biggest Stars Who Must Continue to Shine

When your own captain is publicly acknowledging your failures, you know you're in trouble.

That's where Australia stand after losing the first two matches in the Ashes. Captain Michael Clarke said, per The Guardian's Andy Wilson:

"

What can I say? Our performance in the first innings was unacceptable. Just about everyone in our top seven has made a 50 so far in the series which shows that the talent is there. We just didn't have the discipline that England had—they were willing to bat for long periods and graft through the tough times.

We've got so much support here and in Australia but we're letting ourselves and our supporters down at the moment. We're letting our bowlers down as well.

"

It's definitely dire straits for the Australians. On the other side, England are looking for what would be an astounding series whitewash. It could very well happen given Australia's struggles.

The third Test will be vital. With a win, Australia could inch themselves back into this series. Of course, England could clinch the series with a win themselves and get one step closer to that whitewash.

Here are two players from each team who need to continue playing at a very high level in order to secure the third Test for their country.

England

Joe Root

Joe Root certainly isn't letting the pressure get to him. Just 22 years old, Root has been dazzling in the Ashes. His 180 runs in the second innings of the second Test would have been enough to single-handedly take down Australia in the first innings after they only put up 128.

Root became the youngest Englishman to score a hundred against Australia at Lord's in 129 years, per The New York Times' Huw Richards.

Perhaps what's been the most impressive attribute of Root is his composure. Despite his age, he's remained level-headed. Despite some early struggles in the series, Root showed mental toughness beyond his years and put together a fantastic innings at The Home of Cricket.

Ian Bell

After his 109 in the second Test's first innings, Ian Bell became just the fourth batsman in England's history to register a century in three consecutive Ashes Test matches.

Bell's talent has never really been in question but too many times Bell would get in and get out without posting a big score.

During the 2013 Ashes, Bell has been fantastic from start to finish. He's been doing all the right things at the crease and frustrating the Australians with his confident stroke play and sturdy defence.

If he continues this pace, Bell will put in an Ashes performance for the ages.

Australia

Michael Clarke

Sometimes, a captain needs to lead by example. That's exactly what needs to happen with Michael Clarke.

Clarke has only scored a total of 102 runs throughout the Ashes and needs to help set the tone for his team by posting a big knock in the first innings of the all-important third Test.

Clarke has been Australia's most consistent batsman for a few years and things won't get better until the likes of Phil Hughes and Shane Watson start delivering, but Clarke could make a major statement to his team with a strong performance.

Ashton Agar

Ashton Agar burst onto the scene with his 98 in the first innings of the first Test. The Daily Mail has a nice breakdown of Agar's effort on the day.

Since then, it's been largely downhill for the 19-year-old. He got two runs in the first innings of the second Test and followed that up with 16 runs in the second innings while only taking two wickets.

It was unrealistic to expect Agar to continue at the pace he first set. However, he needs to improve in the third Test if Australia are going to have any chance of pulling out the victory.

Scoring has been a major issue, so Australia can't afford to have a talent like Agar fail to make an impact.