Clarke: We are at rock bottom

Stand-in captain Michael Clarke has insisted that Australia are not in crisis but must rebuild urgently from "rock bottom".

After England had inflicted on them a third innings defeat of the 2010/11 Ashes and won the series 3-1 - a first outright win for them down under since 1986/87 - Clarke refuted the 'crisis' theory. But he does agree many things have gone badly wrong for the hosts over the past six weeks, and it is up to the players to put them right - quickly.

Clarke said: "This is probably as close to rock bottom as it gets. As players we feel disappointment right now, but we do see potential. We think we are better cricketers than what we have shown. We have no excuses."

In his first Test as captain, deputising for the injured Ricky Ponting, Clarke had the misfortune to oversee the culmination of a resounding defeat which had been brewing ever since England went 1-0 up by a landslide margin in Adelaide at the start of last month.

Australia hit back to level the series in style at Perth. But another defeat followed inside four days, after Australia were bowled out for only 98 in their first innings in the fourth Test at Melbourne - and Clarke is well aware there have been too many instances of under-performance this winter to do anything but 'front up'.

He rejects the doomsday scenarios, acknowledges there are major issues - and backs his team-mates' ability. "I don't think there's a crisis in Australian cricket at all," he said.

"We need a lot of improvement in our game, in all areas. But I do believe we have the talent and potential in that changing-room to do it.

"We've seen through this series that guys have stood up at different times - but we're way too inconsistent to win a big series. That's what England have shown as a team. They have outplayed us, not one or two individuals.

"I think 100% we have to learn from what England did this series. Their performance, not only with bat and ball, but in the field, was outstanding for a five-Test series. There's a great starting point to be able to turn up every day for five Tests, to perform as well as they did.

"It takes a lot of discipline, a lot of planning before the series. We do need to look at how England have played in this series, and take a lot of notes from that."