Strauss now leads his team to a three-match series with Bangladesh

England skipper Andrew Strauss admitted two closing defeats cast something of a shadow over the one-day international series victory against Australia.

"A slight bit," he said. "Australia were excellent in the final 10 overs and that gave them crucial momentum.

"Shaun Tait then bowled with a lot of hostility and it needed a fine innings by Paul Collingwood to keep us in it.

"We always say we're not the finished article but we beat the top-ranked team and we've got to be proud about that."

Strauss revealed that Kevin Pietersen was not expected to play in the first of the three-match one-day international series with Bangladesh beginning on Thursday.

Pietersen suffered a thigh injury while fielding and the captain said: "There's a bit of a tear there. It's probably unlikely he's going to be fit for that first Bangladesh game."

Eoin Morgan was named man-of-the-series, having made 238 runs at an average of 59, the highlight being a magnificent unbeaten century to lead England to victory in the first match of the series at the Rose Bowl.

606: DEBATE Despite all talk of an English whitewash, if Australia had bowled a bit better in the third ODI, they would have won this series 3-2 someguy1989

"That was one of the best times I've ever performed on a cricket field.," the 23-year-old left-hander said of that match.

"I would have liked to have made more of the form I was in, I don't feel I've contributed as much as I'd like to have done in the other games."

Morgan revealed his intention to push for a place in the Test team for the Ashes series in Australia starting in November.

"It's a massive aspiration of mine. Playing against Australia is always a privilege, they are very competitive," he said.

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