As politicians cracked jokes at their expense and pundits unleashed a wave of condemnation, Australia vowed to stick together amid the Ashes angst.

Coach, captain, bowling, batting, fielding, family, selectors, preparation – every aspect of the imminent series defeat has already been analysed.

The scrutiny will continue over the next two-and-a-half weeks, with a tour game in Northampton followed by the final Test at The Oval that starts on August 20.

Coach Darren Lehmann and captain Michael Clarke had a simple message for the squad after day one of the fourth Test, when they were skittled for 60 and effectively ceded the urn.

“It was just about sticking together,” Mitchell Starc said.

“It’s less than ideal, but it is what it is.

“It’s a tough day and you’ve got to move on.

“It’s just a game of cricket, they’re important days but you’ve got to move on.”

Starc tried to demonstrate as much when asked about the side’s batsmen.

The tourists’ hopes of becoming the first Australian side to win an Ashes series in England since 2001 were shattered on day one of the third and fourth Tests.

At Edgbaston, they lost 5-60 en route to being bowled out for 136 in 36.4 overs.

At Trent Bridge it was even worse.

“It’s disappointing as a group whether it be no runs on the board or not bowling well enough,” he said.

“We’re sticking by each other. We probably could have bowled a little bit better yesterday.

“It’s been a couple of disappointing days for us, but the sun will come up tomorrow and we’ll give it another crack.”

Australia’s lowest Test total in England since 1902 was always going to attract stinging criticism.

Few sporting events impact the national psyche quite as much as the Ashes.

“That has crossed my mind,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop quipped, when asked whether the players should have their citizenship revoked.

The back and front pages in England and Australia were more incendiary.

“I’ve not been home in about five months so I wouldn’t know what’s going on in the papers,” Starc said.

Starc was also unyielding when asked about the potential ramifications of such a shambolic performance.

“Luckily enough I don’t have to select teams and worry about that sort of thing,” he said.

“We’ll get through this Test … try to improve and try to take something out of the series.”