Tredwell feels honesty is key to rebuilding England’s reputation

Forty-eight hours after admitting his captaincy was on the line, Cook led his team-mates through a complete workout in 35 degree heat.

A lengthy team discussion began the session, before England busily set about preparing for Friday’s fourth one-day international against Australia.

Cook has just two more chances to secure a first win of a troubled tour before flying home, when he is set to make a call on his leadership.

The 29-year-old has been backed by his team-mates to remain, but victory in at least one, if not both, of the games that remain in the already-lost ODI series would provide welcome relief.

Hanging over Cook’s team also is the threat of equalling England’s worst run of defeats – a sequence of 10 losses set in 2001 and 1993.

England have lost nine games in a row in all formats – dating back to last summer – while another defeat at the WACA Ground would also match their longest losing streak against Australia.

It is a sobering thought for Cook who appeared glum-faced as he admitted his time in charge of the England team could be close to an end after the seven-wicket defeat in Sydney on Sunday.

It was an honest assessment of his situation that spinner James Tredwell believes all England’s players must share if they are to turn fortunes around.

England have been outperformed in most categories this winter and Tredwell said the players were ready to stand up to some brutal home truths.

“We’re trying to be really honest with ourselves,” Tredwell said. “We understand that we’ve not been good enough on this tour. Our skills need to be better. We’ve not quite put them into practice over a period of time.

“We’ve spoken a lot about pushing back and giving Australia a bit of their medicine but that’s not always easy when the skills aren’t up to scratch.

“If we are really honest about it, that’s been the issue this winter.”

Tredwell is certain a young England team – in which the likes of Eoin Morgan, Chris Jordan, Jos Buttler and Gary Ballance have enhanced their reputations – will benefit from the difficult lessons.

“In terms of this tour looking forward to the World Cup in 12 months’ time it is a great experience in that regard,” he said.

“No one likes losing. We need to be strong and turn that around.”

Australia are set to rest four players for Friday’s match, including Michael Clarke, David Warner, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson while England’s Boyd Rankin (hamstring) is out.