Nasser Hussain was quick to lay blame at the feet of England's batsmen after the Melbourne loss - despite Australia hitting a record total against his bowlers.

The captain criticised the attitude of his batters after three of England's top-order were needlessly run out.

Chasing an unlikely 319 to win, England fell 89 runs short in a profligate display.

"We should have got at least 280 and the run outs did not help our cause at all," Hussain said.

"I don't mind nicks but run outs are not good enough.

We've got to try to have a new mentality Nasser Hussain

"It sends signals out of soft dismissals and how we value our wickets.

"It's not where we want to be."

There were positives to be taken from the continuing good form of Nick Knight, while Craig White played well for his maiden one-day fifty.

"On a good wicket you can play shots and Knight has looked in good nick.

"He played well and so did the lads down the order but it was too little, too late when chasing 318."

Hussain admitted England faced an uphill task after losing the toss and having to bowl first on an outstanding wicket.

"Obviously we were out-played on a belter of a wicket, probably the best wicket we have played on out here.

"We did not have much to hit them with a young attack."

England next play Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Brisbane, before playing the same team again on 20 December in Perth.

"We've got two crucial games coming up," Hussain said.

"If we're going to get anything out of this winter we've got to start turning it around and we've got an opportunity to do that in Brisbane."