Clarke, selectors return to drawing board after England crush Aussies 4-0

Melbourne, July 11: Australian skipper Michael Clarke has returned to the drawing board with fellow selectors to map a quick rebound against Pakistan next month after receiving a crushing 4-0 hammering in the ODI series at the hands of England.

Australia won the tri-series against Sri Lanka and India at home, and then squared the one-day series 2-2 against the West Indies having won the Frank Worrell Trophy.

There will be a period of intense reflection after an England team identical to its Test line-up beat Australia.

“We need to play better cricket. We need to sit down as a team and have a look at our performances over the last 12 months and areas we need to get better. I thought our training was outstanding but we have no excuses,” said Clarke.

Australia is now ranked No.1 in name only after England (3/138, 27.1 overs) registered its 10th successive win by seven wickets in a rain-affected match, News.com.au reports.

“I think a lot of credit needs to go to England as well. They''ve outplayed us in all four matches, they''ve been very consistent, their bowlers have bowled with good patience and discipline and their batters have made runs," said Clarke.

“We haven''t done both. We didn''t have anybody make a big score as a batter, we lost a lot of early wickets throughout the series and we didn''t execute our skills as well as you need to,” he said after rain affected (D/L) seven-wicket loss to England in Manchester.

The news only got worse for the visitors with David Hussey becoming the fourth casualty of the tour, straining a hamstring in icy conditions while batting.

Brett Lee, Shane Watson (calf) and Pat Cummins (side) are already home.