ANDY Flower is prepared to wield the axe on England's losing team to halt the world Test No.1's fall from grace in the Middle East.

The England coach has called on the tourists to show skill and courage, and prove they can after all conquer the demons of spinning Asian pitches – starting by avoiding a series whitewash against Pakistan in Dubai this week.

Flower has found himself delivering an all-too-familiar refrain so far this winter, picking over England defeats – against India in limited-overs cricket and now after losing the first two Tests against Pakistan here to concede this three-match series in under seven days.

In difficult conditions, tailor-made for the talents of Pakistan's spin bowlers, England's hopes of making a relatively modest target of 145 to level the series foundered as they were all out for 72.

"We expect to learn and learn quickly – and that is a big part of our job, of my job," said Flower, who spoke of England's bowling and first-innings competence but could only lament what followed.

"I thought in the first innings some of our batsmen did an excellent job.

"(Jonathan) Trott and (Alastair) Cook were outstanding in that partnership of 145. (Stuart) Broad was outstanding; he played an aggressive, courageous knock to give us the lead – that was a match-turning performance from him both with ball and bat.

"But yes, (there were) familiar mistakes. We need our batsmen to learn – very obviously."

If they do not, or do not appear capable of doing so, time may have run out for someone.

"Continuity of selection has been part of our strength, but very obviously we have to pick players who are most adept at dealing with these conditions," added Flower.

"Indeed, that is what we have tried to do.

"We have lost the series now – and, of course, we have to go into this third Test and pick what we think is the best XI to try to win the game.

"If that means making a change here and there, then we won't be afraid to do that."

England Lions beat Sri Lanka A by 67 runs in their one-day match in Dambulla.

England made 293-9 as Craig Kieswetter hit an unbeaten 112, with Notts trio Alex Hales (23), James Taylor (25) and Samit Patel (43) all contributing.

Patel then took 3-55 as Sri Lanka replied with 226.