Coach Darren Lehmann says under fire batsman needs to improve.
The entire Australian top-order is facing intense scrutiny ahead of the second Test match starting Thursday, but none more so than Ed Cowan.
The former opener dropped down to number three for the Trent Bridge clash and struggled for timing and struggled to get off the mark.
Cowan who, on his home ground after a spell with Nottinghamshire this season, was out for a duck in the first innings driving at fast bowler Steven Finn and fell to part-time off-spinner Joe Root for just 14 second time around.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann said they made it clear his performance needed to improve if he wanted to keep his place in the side.
“He’s had a tough game,” said Lehmann. “Like everyone, you’ve got to make runs and perform.
“We’ve told Ed how we want him to play and how we want him to bat… we picked him to do a role. He’ll be disappointed with the shots. So are we.
“We’re trying to learn and get better. I’m sure he’ll get better at that as well,” he added.
However, Lehmann who in 27 Tests for Australia scored 1,798 runs at an average of just under 45 with five hundreds, was at pains to point how side’s performance at Trent Bridge proved they were not as far away from England as some pundits had suggested before the series started.
“I think they’re quite close – a lot closer than people give them credit for, both sides. So, the key for us is to make sure we’re playing better.
“We’ve certainly got to bat better as a top order. We’re going to bowl very well, and we know we can control their batters. It’s just a case of making more runs.
“I just thought we missed a chance probably in the first innings with our top order. I know conditions were tough, but we had to get through that… They’re the areas we can improve on.”
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