Nick Compton says England will remain hopeful of winning back the Ashes this summer ahead of the third Test at Headingley, despite trailing Australia 2-0.

England lost the second Test at Lord's by 43 runs in a feisty affair in North London which followed a two-wicket defeat to the Aussies in the first Test at Edgbaston.

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, former England batsman Compton, 40, said: "Ben Stokes will believe there is a possibility.

"The fact the first two Tests have been very close, there is reason to believe.

"If they can win at Headingley, suddenly a bit of pressure is put back on Australia and it would be great for the series."

The major talking point on the final day of the Lord's Test was the controversial stumping of England batsman Jonny Bairstow by opposing wicket-keeper Alex Carey.

On the incident, Compton said: "I found it disappointing. It was a cheap shot.

"I could understand if Jonny was trying to pinch a quick single, but he wasn't, so it seemed a very unnecessary way to go.

"You also need to look at the way Carey had taken the previous deliveries and thrown the ball to the nearby fielder.

"As a batsman, you try to get used to that pattern and the speed of play, so I don't really blame Jonny that much.

"I think this is where the spirit of cricket goes beyond the laws of the game — some Test umpires don't even call 'over', we've gone beyond that!"

Stoking the fire

Bairstow's dismissal paved the way for another heroic Ashes innings by Stokes, who reached 155 before being dismissed by Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood.

Ex-Middlesex right-hander Compton added: "Ben's become a complete cricketer.

"He has the ability to rise to the occasion, absorb pressure, make clear decisions in high-pressure situations and not go one step too far.

"Ben's clarity is something to marvel at and that innings, to put Australia in a real mess, is testament to what he can do."

Compton suggested other England players should follow Stokes' more balanced batting method at Headingley.

He added: "There have been times in this series where we've been silly. Those cricketers are intelligent enough to play the situation differently.

"If they trust that they've got entertaining cricketers in the team and let that unfold naturally, England could perhaps be more successful."

Anderson struggles

James Anderson misses out at Headingley after taking only three wickets in the first two Tests.

On the veteran seamer's omission, Compton said: "England need a bit of pace and X-factor.

"Mark Wood simply had to come into the reckoning.

"We've got Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad for the skill roles, so Jimmy does have to miss out, unfortunately."

Legacy

Compton's autobiography will be released this week — and he believes it has given him a better outlook on his cricketing career.

The South Africa-born talent played 16 times for England, notching two centuries.

He reflected on the process of writing the book: "I was my own harshest critic throughout my career and it dawned on me how much of a perfectionist I had become.

"I'm now trying to be kinder to myself and I'm probably a bit more accepting of the career that I did have."

Legacy by Nick Compton is now available to order via Atlantic Books.