Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann has penned a letter of apology after his side’s dismal Ashes trouncing to England.

In a post titled “I apologise for Ashes defeat” on the Cricket Australia website, Lehmann acknowledges England’s brilliance but doesn’t run away from Australia’s complicity in the rout.

England lead the five-Test series 3-1 ahead of a dead rubber at The Oval to end the series, which begins on August 20.

“We have been poor, we have been outplayed by a superior opponent, and as coaching staff, players and selectors we fully accept the blame for our losses at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge,” Lehmann concedes.

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“We don’t walk away from that responsibility, and we have been as up-front as we can over the past few days to explain that’s the case rather than try to find excuses.

“Not only do we want to be accountable for our efforts, but on behalf of our team, I want to apologise for the manner in which we have lost, especially to those tour groups and individual fans who paid to travel to the UK to watch us and to the millions more tuning in at home.”

Media reports said Michael Clarke was isolated from his team, often not travelling on the team bus. Photo: Getty

Despite taking responsibility for handing the trophy back to England after winning it at home in 2013/14, Lehmann stresses Australian cricket is heading in the right direction.

“I maintain great confidence in the future of Australian cricket,” Lehmann wrote.

“In the coaching staff who have come in for their share of criticism over recent days, in the crop of young players we’ve got coming through.

“And in the players that are here on this tour and who are desperate to make amends in the final Test at The Oval.”

Since the Trent Bridge steamrolling, sections of the media battered the Australian squad for letting families travel with players to England.

Critics argued this was a distraction, but that is a notion Lehmann is not willing to entertain.

“One thing I strongly disagree with is the criticism that’s been levelled about players and support staff having their partners and families with them during this tour,” he said.

“We have always placed a huge importance on family and while we’re happy to cop criticism for the way we bat, bowl, field or prepare, I believe it’s unfair to suggest having families with us as a reason for our on-field efforts.

“Some of the guys in our squad have schedules that have meant they’ve been at home for a total of three or four days since the Boxing Day Test last December – less than a week in more than seven months.”

Lehmann was unequivocal in his support of the current family policy: “There is no way, as coach of the Australian cricket team, that I am going to oversee a set-up that doesn’t welcome wives, girlfriends, children and other family members when our players and staff are spending that length of time travelling.”

He said family has “been part of Australia cricket team tours since Mark Taylor was captain 20 years ago and that is NOT going to change”.

The coach also addressed the retirement of captain Michael Clarke, who has been accused of being a divisive figure in the side, while re-enforcing his team’s commitment to win the fifth Test at The Oval.

“Michael deserves the chance to go out with the respect and dignity that he has undoubtedly earned over a fantastic career, and I want to see that career suitably celebrated,” he said.

“We know that we have let ourselves and the people of Australia down in this series, but like the game itself we need to move on and be ready for the next challenge.”