Australia’s middle order was woeful as the Aussies fell by an innings and 80 runs at Tasmania.

Smith questioned his team mates’ desire as Australia stares down the barrel of a whitewash.

“I need players that are willing to get in the contest and get in the battle and have some pride in playing for Australia and pride in the baggy green. That’s what I need,” Smith said.

“At the moment it’s not good enough and I’m quite sick of saying it to be honest with you. It’s happened five Tests in a row.

 “…I do talk to the selectors quite a bit and in the end it’s up to them to pick the team they think is best for whatever conditions.

“So I’ve got to back their job and go out there and support our guys and do what we can to win cricket matches. But obviously at the moment we’re not doing that and it’s not working.”

Smith said the whole system needed to be looked at if Australia were to turn the corner and stop the rot.

“It’s not working so obviously on the back of five losses there’s going to be a lot talked about in regards to selection and things like that and we’ve got to start finding a way to turn things around,” he said.

“I’m embarrassed to be sitting here to be honest with you. Too many times we’ve lost wickets in clumps. 8-32 today, 10-85 in the first innings and you’re not winning any games of cricket when you’re doing that.

“It’s happening way too consistently for my liking.

“We’re not being resilient, we’re not willing to tough it out and get through tough periods.

“Right now it’s not good enough.

“I am hurting.”