England batsman Ian Bell says his side hit rock bottom in their embarrassing nine-wicket loss to Australia in the latest one-day international in Adelaide.
They were routed on Friday for just 110 by Australia in 34.3 overs and Bell, who top-scored with 35, said the loss was even more disappointing than their Ashes failures earlier in the tour.
Bell said the defeat was his lowest point as an England player.
”Probably for me it is [the lowest point]. Yesterday [Friday] wasn’t the highlight of my career playing for England so far,” he said in Adelaide on Saturday.
”When we get to Perth we’ll sit down and talk. I don’t think straight after the game was really the time to do that … and today [Saturday] we’ve got to reflect on it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he added.
As calls from England for coach Duncan Fletcher’s sacking mount with each embarrassing loss, Bell said every tourist was culpable.
”We’re still one unit. We’re right behind everyone and this has been a difficult tour for everyone,” he said.
”As individuals, we can’t start making excuses. I think all of us have to take the blame for this.”
Bell said England still had plenty to play for and still hoped they could be competitive in the World Cup, just six weeks away.
He conceded confidence was down, but dismissed suggestions the English were a shattered and fractured unit.
England’s next match is against New Zealand on Tuesday, with captain Michael Vaughan again likely to be missing with a hamstring strain.
Andrew Flintoff will get another chance to notch his first win as skipper on the tour, with England needing a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the tri-series finals alive.
In a rare piece of good news for the English, seamer James Anderson has been cleared of any serious injury after suffering from back soreness and could play on Tuesday, while fellow opening bowler Jon Lewis might also return from injury.
Australian spinner Brad Hogg said those looking for reasons for England’s abysmal form should look no further than the form of their opponents.
Hogg said the Australians were in dynamic form and looking to dominate the English in every match.
”We are really preparing for the World Cup and we want to win this tournament as well on our home soil, but every match we want to improve and make sure we are spot on for the World Cup.”
Hogg said confidence in the Australia camp was sky-high.
”I just think that we are playing really good cricket and all the boys are playing well and backing each other and we’ve got a great team environment,” he said.
”It’s reminding me of 2003 and I just don’t think our camp could be any better.” — AFP
