Andy Flower has taken responsibility for England's crushing defeat to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. He admitted that his team were inadequately prepared for the series, which Pakistan, by winning the final Test by 71 runs in Dubai, took 3-0, their first whitewash over England.

"I don't think our commitment and our hunger to win have been down," said the England coach. "But we spent a couple of months out of the game and not doing a lot while Pakistan were beating Sri Lanka and working hard to beat Bangladesh and that hardened them up for this contest.

"Looking back now I don't think we were ready. I shoulder that side of the blame because it was my decision to give them that time off. We won't let that happen again. Certainly during that rest time our team and support staff were all being lauded and while that was happening Pakistan were working hard at their game and beating international opposition.

"Consequently one side was sharp and ready and one wasn't and we have got to do something about that. We do have a lot of faith in our players and that faith has been justified over a long period of time. But we've obviously under-performed here badly."

Andrew Strauss rejected any notion that England's failure to compete was due to errors of selection. "I have faith in our batsmen. They are some of the best in the world," he said. His remarks did not suggest an overhaul of a malfunctioning batting unit when England play two Tests in Sri Lanka in six weeks' time.

"There are some good young players in English cricket, but they are inexperienced. Some of them are enjoying opportunities in the short form of the game. But I still believe we had our best players in Dubai. Conditions will be similar, though not the same in Sri Lanka," said Strauss. "We have to learn our lessons. but not to dwell too much on our failures."

However, the defeat in the UAE was laid firmly at the hands of the England batsmen, whose middle order of Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan failed wretchedly, averaging 11,8 and 13 respectively. "The bowlers were exceptional in all three Tests," insisted Strauss.

It was barely apparent to those looking on but England's captain said his batsmen were "more comfortable at the back end of the series than they were at the start but by then the die had been cast. The first Test sets the tone".

He acknowledged that England had been thrashed by a highly disciplined side, superbly led by Misbah-ul-Haq. "They played outstandingly well and were a tight, cohesive unit," said Strauss.

Nor did Strauss complain about the controversial Decision Review System, which may have contributed to a record number of lbws in the series. "I have no qualms about that. If the ball is shown to be pitching on off-stump and is hitting middle you are out. Whether using DRS or not using the bat is better than the pad." England name their squad for the one-day series on Tuesday and it appears as if they will be given little respite before the first ODI in Abu Dhabi on 13 February.