As politicians cracked jokes at their expense and pundits unleashed a wave of condemnation, Australia vowed to stick together amid the Ashes angst.
Coach, captain, bowling, batting, fielding, family, selectors, preparation - every aspect of the imminent series defeat has already been analysed.
The scrutiny will continue over the next two-and-a-half weeks, with a tour game in Northampton followed by the final Test at The Oval that starts on August 20.
Coach Darren Lehmann and captain Michael Clarke had a simple message for the squad after day one of the fourth Test, when they were skittled for 60 and effectively ceded the urn.
"It was just about sticking together," Mitchell Starc said.
"It's less than ideal, but it is what it is.
"It's a tough day and you've got to move on.
"It's just a game of cricket, they're important days but you've got to move on."
Starc tried to demonstrate as much when asked about the side's batsmen.
The tourists' hopes of becoming the first Australian side to win an Ashes series in England since 2001 were shattered on day one of the third and fourth Tests.
At Edgbaston, they lost 5-60 en route to being bowled out for 136 in 36.4 overs.
At Trent Bridge it was even worse.
"It's disappointing as a group whether it be no runs on the board or not bowling well enough," he said.
"We're sticking by each other. We probably could have bowled a little bit better yesterday.
"It's been a couple of disappointing days for us, but the sun will come up tomorrow and we'll give it another crack."
Australia's lowest Test total in England since 1902 was always going to attract stinging criticism.
Few sporting events impact the national psyche quite as much as the Ashes.
"That has crossed my mind," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop quipped, when asked whether the players should have their citizenship revoked.
The back and front pages in England and Australia were more incendiary.
"I've not been home in about five months so I wouldn't know what's going on in the papers," Starc said.
Starc was also unyielding when asked about the potential ramifications of such a shambolic performance.
"Luckily enough I don't have to select teams and worry about that sort of thing," he said.
"We'll get through this Test ... try to improve and try to take something out of the series."
Stokes relishes extra responsibility at Ashes
England allrounder Ben Stokes says he's relishing the extra responsibility bestowed upon him by skipper Alastair Cook after putting his side on the brink of Ashes glory.
The combative New Zealand-born Stokes bowled superbly on Friday to take 5-35 as the tourists were reduced to 7-241 - still 90 runs behind England in what's been a disastrous Test for Michael Clarke's side.
With Jimmy Anderson missing with a side strain, Stokes stepped up superbly to back up Stuart Broad after Mark Wood and Steve Finn struggled for a breakthrough and dismissed Chris Rogers, David
Warner and Shaun Marsh before tea on day two at Trent Bridge.
He also took a fine low catch to send Steve Smith back to the pavilion for just five after playing a rash shot off Broad on the stroke of the tea interval, capping off a great day for the flame-haired 24-year-old.
Stokes' efforts very nearly helped deliver England the Ashes on Friday night, but refused to accept it was a fait accompli just yet.
"We know their tail can hang around and we need to make sure tomorrow we bowl as well as we did tonight and don't have to put the pads on," Stokes said.
"The Ashes are not quite in our grasp yet but it's very close. "Jimmy was a massive loss but we knew as a four-man bowling attack we had to perform and after Broady's fantastic spell on that first day. It was good to back him up because he can't take every wicket."
Smith declared before the series that England "wouldn't get near Australia," a claim that has been made to look ridiculous by a young England side that are a stark contrast to the rabble that left Australian shores in 2013/14 and in this year's Cricket World Cup.
Stokes said the comments had been noted with interest by the home side, but managed to restrain himself when asked what was said.
"Yeah we did see that," he smirked.
"I don't want to go too far with this ... but we're hopefully
going to lift the Ashes (on Saturday)."
He also revealed the Australians had been noticeably quiet on the field following their heavy defeat at Edgbaston last week and their horror day one display when they were bowled out for 60.
"Australia are a bit louder (than other teams)," Stokes said. "But when your team is on top you can react how you want. We are in a really good position and want to focus on what we do."
Australia 7-241 against England at stumps
Australia were 7-241 at stumps on the second day of the fourth Test against England at Trent Bridge
today.
Scores: Australia 60 (M Johnson 13, M Clarke 10; S Broad 8-15) and 7-241 (D Warner 64, C Rogers 52; B Stokes 5-35); England 9(dec)-391 (J Root 130, J Bairstow 74; M Starc 6-111).
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