Buttler still waiting to deliver

Jos Buttler has kept England's hopes of saving the fifth Test alive with a gritty unbeaten knock on day three despite a self-confessed "really poor series".

Buttler finished the day on 33 – his highest score of the Ashes – as England battled to 6-203 at stumps still trailing Australia by 129 runs after being asked to follow-on.

In a series that's yielded only 113 runs at 16.14, Buttler admits he's been out of form in the Ashes but says he's proud of his gutsy innings as he continues to find his feet at Test level.

"I've had a really poor series, there's no getting around that," Buttler said.

"I've been very disappointed with my own form.

"Today was about trying to scrap and stay in there.

Buttler reopens the debate on walking (restrictions apply)

"I wouldn't say I feel very good at the crease but to show that fight and stay in there and I guess not play my natural way (which) is to look to attack but to try to occupy the crease.

"If I'm going to be successful at Test cricket I've got to do that. And hopefully I've showed I could do that tonight and carry on tomorrow."

Buttler, who holds the two fastest one-day international centuries for England, has found it difficult adjusting his natural aggressive game to the challenges the five-day format presents.

While the 24-year-old believes physically he's up to task, it's the mental side of Test cricket where he's struggled to find balance.

"If I'm mentally in a good place and my game plan is right, I feel like I've got the talent and technique to be accomplished at this level," Buttler said.

"It's been a real experience me playing five Tests against a very good side.

"If you're in poor form there's no hiding place, you keep fronting up and putting yourself out there against the guys who keep getting you out.

"I've learned a great deal from this series.

"(I'm) still a young man, very naive in Test cricket and it's down to me to learn from these experiences and try and come out the other side a better player."

Buttler confeses to struggles after day three 

Buttler isn't the only English batsman to struggle in this series.

Yorkshire's Gary Ballance was dropped after two Tests, replaced by county teammate Jonny Bairstow who has made only one score over 26, while Ian Bell has averaged 27 – 13 less than his overall Test mean.

But the biggest worry for England has been the form of opening batsman Adam Lyth.

Lyth's average of 12.77 is the second lowest of all-time in an Ashes series with at least five matches.

Buttler supports his teammate whose Test career is also in its infancy, and expects the left-hander to bounce back should he be given another opportunity.

"He's obviously disappointed but in the dressing room everyone knows what a good player he is," Buttler said.

Lyth falls early in England's second dig

"Opening the batting is probably the toughest job, one of the toughest jobs and he's had two very tough sides (Australia and New Zealand) to do that against.

"Everyone knows he's a fantastic player and he wouldn't be opening the batting for England is he wasn't.

"Just like myself he's disappointed with the runs tally at end of the series.

"But it doesn't take away that he's still a fantastic player."