Pace not to blame: Anderson

England spearhead Jimmy Anderson insists the issue of speed has been overplayed in the Ashes and has also questioned Australia's depth in express pace.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have gone close to nudging 150km/h during the series, while England's quicks have struggled to consistently break the 140km/h barrier.

Many pundits and past players from England and Australia have suggested the pace gulf has played a key role in the hosts claiming an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five Test series.

Anderson doesn't buy it.

"It's not necessarily the pace but where the ball is and the plans they've had have worked well," he told a BBC podcast.

"Even me as a No.11, you get used to that pace.

"I honestly don't think the pace has actually caused us any issues.

"If you look at our dismissals, we sometimes haven't necessarily got out to the good balls."

Anderson backed up his argument by pointing to his side coping with South Africa speed demon Kagiso Rabada at home earlier this year.

England's all-time leading wicket-taker, who has jousted verbally with Steve Smith on and off the park this summer, also offered a take on Australia's attack.

"They've had three bowlers who all can bowl 90 miles an hour and they've stayed fit for three games, but you look beyond that and they've got problems," Anderson said.

"(James) Pattinson's injured. (Nathan) Coulter-Nile is injured.

"They haven't got much other than these three."

The issue of intimidatory fast bowling has returned after former England captain Mike Atherton claimed officials should better enforce rules.

Anderson, who was struck on the helmet by a Pat Cummins bumper in Perth, gave his insight into such a rattling blow.

"I don't know if you've ever been messing around with mates and someone slaps you on your ear ... it's kind of a real shock," he said.

"You're obviously not expecting to get hit on the head but you've got that split second where you know it's going to hit you.

"It's not ideal. It's happened to me a few times in my career. We're very fortunate in this day and age that the helmets are such high quality.

"I turned my head and just braced for impact ... I had a bit of a sore jaw for a couple of days."

Meanwhile, Glenn McGrath and Michael Vaughan have become the latest cricket greats urging England to drop out-of-form pace veteran Stuart Broad.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21