Nottingham, Sept. 18: England captain Andrew Strauss told his players to show "character" after a 111-run thrashing by Australia here left them on the brink of a record 7-0 series loss.

No side have ever lost a bilateral one-day international campaign 7-0. But a sixth straight defeat by world champions Australia meant England faced the prospect of making unwanted history in Sunday’s climax at the Riverside.

"Six-nil is bad enough to be honest," Strauss said after England were beaten for the second time in three days under the Trent Bridge floodlights on Thursday.

"We’ve got one more opportunity (this series) to show our calibre as a side. We need to take that opportunity."

Once again England’s top order failed, although Strauss, the hosts’ best batsman this series, did appear unlucky to be given out caught behind for a second-ball nought.

But the left-handed opener said his dismissal was no excuse for another batting "horror show" that shattered England’s already dented confidence ahead of next week’s start of the Champions Trophy ODI tournament in South Africa.

"It was a bit of a horror show with the bat," Strauss said. "No one is more frustrated than I am."

Strauss, booed by angry spectators during the post-match presentation ceremony, added: "We were never in the hunt with the bat so I can understand the frustration of the crowd. I’m not going to sit here and make any excuses.

"What we have shown so far in this series hasn’t been good enough, far from it. As a group of players and as individuals we need to stand up and show some character now. It’s as simple as that."

He added: "It’s been damaging for the one-day unit because confidence has become increasingly frail."

— AFP