Langer looking for more versatility

Justin Langer says Australia must identify and develop more multi-dimensional cricketers in the wake a humbling, record-breaking defeat to England.

Australia lost the third ODI in Trent Bridge by a mammoth 242 runs – the country's heaviest ever ODI loss – and surrendered the series 3-0.

Australia has won five World Cups, more than any other country, including the last one in 2015. But the next one is less than a year away and the team has slipped to sixth in the world rankings on the back of defeats in 16 of their past 18 ODIs.

"Batting or bowling, there's certainly areas for us that are becoming pretty obvious we need to identify and have more rounded players.

"Not just players who can fit a specific role.

"Especially in 50-over cricket. In 20 over cricket you can get away with it a bit more as it's so condensed but in 50 overs you have a lot more time in the game than you think."

Langer has experimented with the flexibility of his players in this series. Notably, Aaron Finch moved into the middle order for the first time after 89 ODIs playing as an opener.

Before the series started, Finch batted at No.5 in a warm-up, and hit a fifty. With a squad full of top order players Australia thought they had an answer to their middle order dilemmas.

Finch admitted on the eve of this Trent Bridge run fest he was still learning how to approach his new middle order role.

"Having done it the last 18 months in T20 cricket I think gives me a little bit more of an understanding how to go about it," he said.

AJ Tye, who has now played only seven ODIs, is a noted T20 specialist but has yet to find his groove in 50-over cricket.

Langer said Tye was "one of the best people I've ever met" but England batsmen have taken a shine to him too. He bowled nine overs in each of the past two ODIs, conceding 81 runs in Cardiff, and 100 at Trent Bridge.

"He's got to learn how to bowl in the first 10 overs, the middle overs and at the death where he excels," said Langer.

"It's a bit like some of our batters, we've got to bat not just at the top of the order but you've got to come in against spin as well.

"They're the areas we've got to develop and get better at."

Nathan Lyon and Alex Carey remain unused squad members on this tour. Michael Neser made his ODI debut at The Oval and Kane Richardson, Australia's most experienced ODI bowler on this tour, played the first two games.

Changes and tinkering are to be expected in the lead-up to a World Cup, and Australia will ponder all options.

"I don't like to chop and change too much, you've got to build something," Langer said.

"They're not going to get experience sitting in the change room. Nathan Lyon has played a lot of international cricket and he might play at some point.

"We know how good a bowler he is. We might look at it."

Qantas tours of the UK and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Mark Wood

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of the UK

June 7: Australia beat Sussex by 57 runs at Hove

June 9: Australia beat Middlesex by 101 runs at Lord's

June 13: England won by three wickets at The Oval

June 16: England won by 38 runs in Cardiff

June 19: England won by 242 runs at Trent Bridge

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 8: Final