Andrew Strauss reflects on 'bitter' defeat as England lose sixth ODI against Australia by two wickets

"And 333 is a good score on any ground. It was a good wicket but obviously we were not helped by Paul Collingwood not being able to bowl.

"We let them get off to far too fast a start and they were able to keep up the rate. It was very, very disappointing we were unable to restrict them to less than 333. But all credit to the way they played. In the end they walked out worthy winners."

As for Collingwood's situation, Strauss said: "He's okay. He had a back spasm so hopefully should recover fairly quickly. Otherwise, the rest of us got through the game okay."

England's one-day form ahead of the World Cup gives cause for concern, however. The team has been weakened by a rash of injury setbacks, with bowlers Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad all currently injured.

They should all return for the tournament on the subcontinent, starting next month, which will afford England the chance to field a stronger bowling line-up.

"I think in the World Cup we'll have to think about what the best balance is," Strauss said. "We thought this was the best balance to win this game of cricket.

"And when you score 333 that should be enough but all credit to how Australia played."

Strauss suggested the series against Australia has provided few pointers for how England should line up at the World Cup.

"It hasn't really because we've had lots of injuries and haven't been able to play our best side. That was the same for Australia as well.

"I think we've got a lot of talent in our one-day squad and I think we can do a lot of good things in the World Cup."

Trott had reason to see the match in more of a bittersweet light.

"Obviously it's nice to get a hundred," Trott said. "But it's more memorable when you win the game.

"Unfortunately we couldn't come away with a win today. You'd take 333 at the beginning of the day if you were given that."

Australia captain Michael Clarke showed the way with an impressive 82 in front of his home Sydney crowd.

"I thought we batted really well," Clarke said. "I did think 333 was going to be tough to get."

Clarke promoted Mitchell Johnson to bat at No 4 and was rewarded as the paceman scored a rapid 57.

"We had to take a few risks. I guess I punted on Mitch going up the order and trying to smack a few and he batted really well," Clarke said.

"He strikes a ball as clean as anyone and he's shown again tonight that when he gets his opportunity he's not only a very good bowler, he can do some damage with the bat as well.

"To be able to come out and chase those runs, I'm stoked with that win."

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Andrew Strauss backs England to turn series around after victory over Australia in fourth one-day international

Having lost the first three one-day internationals to an Australian side chastened by Ashes defeat, England secured a 21-run win in Adelaide built around Jonathan Trott's anchor innings of 102.

Trott's efforts pleased Strauss but it was the contributions for previously out-of-form players like Matt Prior (67), Paul Collingwood (27) and Michael Yardy (39no) that gave the skipper cause for optimism.

Asked if an improbable 4-3 series win could now be achievable, Strauss said: "I don't see why not.

"We absolutely desperately needed a victory and we were very determined to do so, but we needed a couple of good performances.

"Jonathan Trott's hundred was a very high quality innings and we probably could have got more than our 299, but that is generally a defendable total here and the bowlers did a good job.

"Matt Prior did brilliantly too. To come in after two ducks and play so positively showed his attributes. He played some good shots down the ground and scampered between the wickets to put the Australians under pressure.

"We needed Colly to get back into form and he came in in a good position where he could play some shots which will help him. Michael Yardy also played in the inventive way he can, which was good to see."

Trott was also pleased to have notched a second one-day hundred having been left short on 84 no in Sydney last time out.

"We spoke before the game about getting big partnerships and I'm glad to have done that," he said.

"(Boundary hitting) is something I've been working on very hard to improve and it's important to have those options.

"You're learning all the time with this game but keeping the basics and doing them well is always important."

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Andrew Strauss admits batting has to improve for World Cup after defeat to Australia in one-day series

Work to be done: Andrew Strauss is aware that England have to imporve their batting ahead of the World Cup after another defeat to Australia Photo: EPA

The tourists won the Ashes in emphatic style but have failed to reproduce that form in the shorter format, slipping to a decisive 4-1 deficit in the seven-match series after a 51-run loss in Brisbane today.

A string of poor totals with the bat has been at the heart of Strauss' side's failings, and he said: ''We're very disappointed with how we've played as a batting group. There's been a lot of talking but talking doesn't bring results - guys have to bring it to the middle.

''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've played very badly, we could have won the first two games and probably should. We haven't played smart cricket.

''We've got two games to get momentum for the World Cup.''

Young all-rounder Chris Woakes provided a rare bright spot on the day with six for 45, the best ODI figures by an England bowler on foreign soil, and Strauss continued: ''He obviously showed talent and it shows the future's bright for us.''

Woakes himself added: ''I was pleased with my performance with the ball, it was one of those days when it seemed to go my way, but it would have been sweeter if I was on the winning side.

''I'm pleased with my own performance but it's just a shame we're out of the series.''

Australia skipper Michael Clarke, whose 54 out of Australia's 249 all out was the top score of the match, said: ''I'm excited to contribute, it's been a while since I made 50.

''To win the series is fantastic, the boys are stoked.

''I thought when I got out that if we could scratch out 230 or 240 we were in with a chance, I thought 249 was a pretty good score.

''Everybody contributed, a few guys got starts with the bat and guys chipped in with two wickets.''

The match also saw another significant amount of money raised for the flood relief effort in the surrounding Queensland area and Clarke concluded: ''That's the most important thing really, the turnout today was fantastic.

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

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