Captain Alastair Cook has admitted that he and his fellow England batsmen let the side down during their 381-run defeat to Australia in the first Ashes Test.

England bowled out the Aussies for an under-par 295 in Brisbane, but the tourists could only muster 136 in reply.

After the hosts declared on 401-7 in their second innings with a lead of 560, England slumped with the bat again, as they were all out on day four for 179, with Mitchell Johnson claiming five wickets.

Cook told BBC Sport: "We got ourselves into a good position with the ball in their first innings, but they got themselves to a competitive total, but one which we still felt was just short of par.

"We also got ourselves into a good position with the bat, but that collapse put us behind the eight ball. We've not been surprised by Mitchell Johnson. He's bowled well and put him under pressure but we've faced him a lot in the past and had success against him.

"When you only bat for 50 overs in the first innings, the bowlers need to put their feet up. We, as batsmen, didn't let them do that. This side has plenty of character and we've fought back in the past before."

Michael Carberry's first-innings knock of 40 and Cook's contribution of 65 in the second innings were England's two highest scores at The Gabba.