THE Australians are partly to blame for the whitewash they suffered in the Texaco Trophy series. I think they under-estimated their opponents and the selections, beginning with those of the touring party, have contributed to an air of over-confidence.

However, once out on the field Australia were beaten by a team that played aggressively and fielded athletically. This must have been particularly galling to Mark Taylor's squad, because that is where Australia normally hold the edge over their opponents. To be beaten comprehensively is bad enough, but to be beaten at your own game is demoralising.

Australia now have the job of resurrecting their form and morale in time for the first Test at Edgbaston. Their main priorities are to settle the top-order batting and get some semblance of discipline into the bowling. Despite the pedigree of their two leading bowlers, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, the leg-spinner is the only one to have taken Test wickets in this country.

The batting problems have occurred because of the selectors' desire to accommodate an out-of-form Taylor. That problem has now reached the critical stage and Australia won't be able to move forward positively until it is resolved one way or the other.

The Test series will be different from the one-day matches. However, the Texaco series has helped to boost England's confidence. Taylor and the Australians have some deep thinking and some hard work to do if they hope to arrive at Edgbaston in the right frame of mind to wrest the initiative from a buoyant England team.

Ian Chappell, a former captain of Australia, is commentating on the Ashes tour for Sky Television