Kerry unimpressed as Australia thump Great Britain

GREAT Britain head coach Danny Kerry blasted his side's lightweight approach after seeing his troops suffer an emphatic defeat at the hands of world silver medallists Australia.

SCRAPPY: Alex Danson challenges for the ball against Australia as Great Britain slump to defeat in Buckinghamshire (James Boardman/Great Britain Hockey)

Shelley Liddlelow, Amy Korner, Nicole Arrold and Fiona Boyce all found the scoresheet for the Hockeyroos without a single reply from the hosts in Buckinghamshire as Great Britain began their two-test series in sluggish style.

And Kerry was left in little doubt as to where the problems lay.

"We were not good in the attacking circle," he said. "We had lots of possession but were lightweight in the circle.  Australia were hard-nosed in our circle and we got punished. Australia won by a clear margin on that alone.

"Our corners were very poor and if you can't deliver under pressure then tough."

Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, Great Britain found first-half opportunities hard to come by and in the 29th minute the Hockeyroos' patient approach paid off when Liddelow shot low into the bottom corner.

Just four minutes later an unmarked Korner found the net at the back post and it got worse for GB just after the break when Crista Cullen was alleged to have fouled Ashleigh Nelson deliberately and Arrold stepped up to fire home the penalty stroke. 

Despite an improved attacking performance from Great Britain following the third goal they failed to find the back of the net and Fiona Boyce rounded things off for the Australians with a goal six minutes from time.