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Page last updated at 12:44 GMT, Sunday, 30 January 2011

Strauss angry after England lose series to Australia

England captain Andrew Strauss
Strauss currently averages only 23 in the one-day series

Captain Andrew Strauss criticised England's batting after defeat in the fifth one-day match gave Australia an unassailable 4-1 series lead.

England's batsmen disappointed once again and the tourists were bowled out for 198 to lose by 51 runs in Brisbane.

"We're very disappointed with the way we batted throughout the series and we got what we deserved," Strauss said.

"What's concerning is we haven't played smart cricket, there have been quite a lot of cameos but no telling innings."

Having won the fourth match of the series on Wednesday, England were hoping to continue their recovery and go on to record an unlikely 4-3 series win to take into their World Cup campaign, which begins against the Netherlands on 22 February.

But chasing 250 they were reduced to 22-3 after the first ball of the seventh over when Jonathan Trott departed for a first-ball duck and were bowled out in the 46th over.

Kevin Pietersen made the top score with 40 before getting out in the 22nd over and, after Eoin Morgan and Paul Collingwood departed cheaply, England were heading for an even bigger defeat until last-wicket pair Steven Finn and James Anderson put on 53.

"There's been a lot of talking but talking doesn't bring results - guys have to bring it to the middle," said Strauss, who also criticised his side's "soft dismissals" after the third match of the series.

"We want the guys to play positively. We've got the World Cup coming up and I'd hate to see guys go into their shells but it's decision-making - when is the right time to attack and the right time to defend - and we haven't done that well enough. The reasons for that, I'm not sure.

We're beginning to run out of bowlers. We will take stock and assess the injury situation. If we need to call someone up we will

England captain Andrew Strauss

"There are two more games and hopefully we can get one or two big scores to lead us into the World Cup."

There is also concern about the fitness of the bowlers after Ajmal Shahzad and Chris Tremlett suffered injuries.

Shahzad picked up a hamstring injury while bowling and had to bat with a runner, while Tremlett was ruled out before the game due to a slight side strain.

Both will have scans on Monday and with Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan already ruled out of the series because of injuries, Strauss said a replacement may be called upon.

"We're beginning to run out of bowlers now," Strauss said. "We will take stock and assess the injury situation. If we need to call someone up we will."

You'd like people to be cheering but you understand why some of them are booing

Australia captain Michael Clarke

There was a note of optimism for in the form of 21-year-old Chris Woakes, who took 6-45 in his second one-day international.

The Warwickshire seamer's haul is the second best ODI figures by an England bowler, with only Paul Collingwood's 6-31 against Bangladesh in Nottingham 2005 being better, but the youngster is not in England's World Cup squad.

"He showed a lot of talent and also impressed with the bat in the Twenty20 game," added Strauss.

"He hit the deck hard and got a little bit of movement and it shows the future is bright for England."

Australia captain Michael Clarke was booed as he walked out to bat but went on to make his first international fifty since the second Ashes Test in December.

606: DEBATE
Konigludwig

"You'd like people to be cheering but you understand why some of them are booing," said the 29-year-old.

"Like I've said, I've had a lot of support over this time. I haven't performed as well as I've liked so I don't blame the public for being disappointed with my performances, but it was nice to finally contribute and help the boys out tonight and get a win."

It was Australia's first series win in any format since their tour of New Zealand last March and helped ease some of the disappointment of their Ashes defeat.

"After a pretty tough start to the summer, I think it shows a lot of courage for us to come back and play well in this series and win the series," he added.

The match was helping to raise funds for those affected by the Queensland floods and pushed the total pledged to more than $6m Australian dollars.

"That's the most important thing really, the turnout was fantastic," said Clarke.

"The game of cricket has raised so much money. England have been fantastic too, they've donated a few things."



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see also
England collapse to series defeat
30 Jan 11 |  England
Australia v England photos
30 Jan 11 |  England
Pietersen buoyed despite injuries
29 Jan 11 |  England
Trott ton sets up England victory
26 Jan 11 |  England
England suffer third one-day loss
23 Jan 11 |  England
Marsh inspires Australia victory
21 Jan 11 |  England
Watson ton too good for England
16 Jan 11 |  England
England in Australia 2010-11
08 Oct 09 |  Cricket
Cricket World Cup 2011
09 Mar 11 |  Cricket


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