England captain Andrew Strauss called for calm after his side were thrashed by Australia inside three days in the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley.
England captain Andrew Strauss called for calm after his side were thrashed by Australia inside three days in the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley.
The tourists won by an innings and 80 runs to level the series at 1-1 and now need only avoid defeat in the final Test at the Oval to retain the Ashes.
But Strauss said at the post-match presentation: "It's a time to be calm and not to panic if we win at the Oval we win the series."
He added: "It's pretty hard to take. We didn't really turn up but we have to take it on the chin.
Don't know why
"We've been scratching our head as to why. Once you get bowled out for a hundred, it's always pretty hard to comeback."
On the prospects of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff making a comeback for the fifth Test, Strauss said: "We're hopeful for the Oval but it's a case of seeing how he is closer to the time. It's hard to say at this stage."
England team director Andy Flower will not consider Flintoff for the final Test unless the team talisman can prove his fitness.
Flintoff had hoped to play at Headingley and after the debacle in Leeds England may need him more than ever, given Kevin Pietersen is unavailable.
"He's seeing the specialist tomorrow and we'll know more after that," Flower told Sky Sports after England's defeat.
"If he's there, it's great having a class cricketer like him around.
"If he's not there, we've got to win it without him.
"He's got to be able to say, 'I'm okay to bowl you 15 overs a day'.
"He was keen to play (at Headingley) but I think he acknowledged he wasn't right to play."
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