England [Images] seamer Matthew Hoggard [Images] said a lack of effort cost England dear in their one-day series against India.

The hosts reeled off four consecutive victories to take an unassailable lead in the seven-match series after clinching Thursday's game in Kochi by four wickets.

"We are playing a very good opposition," Hoggard told reporters on Friday. "With a little bit more application and thought from us, we could have been right in the series."

The touring side have been badly hit by injuries to key players, including captain Michael Vaughan [Images], but that could not be used as an excuse, he added.

"If we had used our heads in the first one-dayer and worked a little harder in the second, it could have been 2-0 opening the series and would have been a different story me talking to you now."

England had built up some momentum entering the one-dayers after rallying to a remarkable 1-1 Test series draw, but the young tourists let India off the hook.

England looked set to win the first game in New Delhi after reaching 117-3 chasing 204 for victory, but a slew of rash sweep shots triggered a batting collapse and they lost by 39 runs.

ON THE ROPES

In the next game in Faridabad, England's bowlers had the home team on the ropes at 92-5 chasing 227, but failed to seal victory as teenager Suresh Raina lashed 81 not out to guide India home.

Yorkshire seamer Hoggard did not get a look-in until Kochi, his first one-dayer for over a year, where he went for 59 runs in nine wicketless overs.

Hoggard had picked 13 wickets at a superb average of 17.85 in the Tests and was asked to stay after fast bowler Steve Harmison pulled out due to injury.

He put his poor showing in Kochi down to a lack of practice, after he was ignored for the first two games and sat out the third because of a stomach bug.

"It doesn't matter how much you bowl in the nets, it is no substitute for match practice," he said. "When you are in rhythm, you try and stay in rhythm."

India's record showed they were among the best sides in the world, he said.

India have won 16 of their last 20 one-dayers since Rahul Dravid [Images] took over as captain last year as they build-up for next year's World Cup in West Indies [Images].

The fifth one-dayer will be played in Guwahati on Sunday.