Australia not pressing panic button

Cricket Australia’s team performance director says there will be no panic over the side’s worst one-day series defeat just 12 months from the Ashes series, but that “anyone looking for places to hide won’t find one.”

Pat Howard said in media reports on Friday that the Australia one-day team’s comprehensive 4-0 series loss to England could not be sugar-coated. “It’s not panic stations but we’re obviously very disappointed ... there are no excuses.”

Next week, selectors will pick the one-day squad for a series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia is facing more injury concerns after the England series, with vice-captain Shane Watson and fast bowler Pat Cummins breaking down.

Howard admitted it was difficult attempting to build a No. 1 Test side and maintain a strong one-day international team.

“There is a possibility, and there is a fine balance, that to try and deal with Test improvement there’s been a balance between ODI success and trying to develop players,” Howard said.