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| England look for strong response | England look for strong response |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| England will bid to bounce back from a poor start to the Ashes when the second Test starts in Adelaide on Friday. | England will bid to bounce back from a poor start to the Ashes when the second Test starts in Adelaide on Friday. |
| The tourists were hammered by 277 runs in the first Test in Brisbane, with their bowlers struggling as Australia's batsman seized control. | |
| But England captain Andrew Flintoff said: "Everyone realises we're better than what we did last week, we're a better side than that. | |
| "Our heads were never going to go down, we've got four Test matches to go." | "Our heads were never going to go down, we've got four Test matches to go." |
| Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff | Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff |
| England, who are the current holders of the Ashes, may be boosted by the absence of veteran Australia seam bowler Glenn McGrath in Adelaide. | England, who are the current holders of the Ashes, may be boosted by the absence of veteran Australia seam bowler Glenn McGrath in Adelaide. |
| A major turning point in last year's Ashes series came when McGrath injured himself on the morning of the second Test. | A major turning point in last year's Ashes series came when McGrath injured himself on the morning of the second Test. |
| He is currently struggling with a heel injury, and Australia will delay making a decision on whether or not he can play until just before the match. | |
| You have to expect that they are going to play better than they did in the first Test Australia captain Ricky Ponting | You have to expect that they are going to play better than they did in the first Test Australia captain Ricky Ponting |
| Flintoff admitted the possibility of McGrath once again sitting out the second Test had brought back memories of 2005. | Flintoff admitted the possibility of McGrath once again sitting out the second Test had brought back memories of 2005. |
| "I think the atmosphere going into this Test is very similar to last time," said Flintoff. | "I think the atmosphere going into this Test is very similar to last time," said Flintoff. |
| England will be hoping the 2006/07 series follows a similar pattern to 2005. | England will be hoping the 2006/07 series follows a similar pattern to 2005. |
| After a heavy defeat in the opening encounter they came roaring back, although that looks a lot less likely this time, not least because the hosts have a terrific record in Adelaide. | |
| They have won 11 of their last 15 Tests in the southern Australian city, although one of their three defeats was by England in 1995. | They have won 11 of their last 15 Tests in the southern Australian city, although one of their three defeats was by England in 1995. |
| Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted he is wary of the tourists finding their form. | |
| "You have to expect that they are going to play better than they did in the first Test match, they're very capable of doing that," said Ponting. | "You have to expect that they are going to play better than they did in the first Test match, they're very capable of doing that," said Ponting. |
| "So we just have to look after ourselves and prepare for what England are capable of. | "So we just have to look after ourselves and prepare for what England are capable of. |
| 606: DEBATE If England lose the toss and bat last on this pitch, we're not going to win whatever team we field GL 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE If England lose the toss and bat last on this pitch, we're not going to win whatever team we field GL 606: Have your say |
| "It's up to us really to make sure to repeat what we did in Brisbane. | "It's up to us really to make sure to repeat what we did in Brisbane. |
| "I thought the cricket we played in Brisbane was of a very high calibre and it's important that we start this Test match off exactly the same." | "I thought the cricket we played in Brisbane was of a very high calibre and it's important that we start this Test match off exactly the same." |
| Neither side have yet named their teams, with Australia waiting on the fitness of McGrath. | Neither side have yet named their teams, with Australia waiting on the fitness of McGrath. |
| They have omitted second leg-spinner Stuart MacGill from their squad and if McGrath does not make it then either Mitchell Johnson or Shaun Tait will replace the 36-year-old. | They have omitted second leg-spinner Stuart MacGill from their squad and if McGrath does not make it then either Mitchell Johnson or Shaun Tait will replace the 36-year-old. |
| England are still considering playing two spinners, with Monty Panesar in line for his first start this series. | England are still considering playing two spinners, with Monty Panesar in line for his first start this series. |
| If he plays James Anderson is expected to step down, with England almost certain to give misfiring spearhead Stephen Harmison another chance after his disappointing display in the first Test. | |
| In their first innings in the last seven Tests in Adelaide Australia have scored 428, 575, 556, 552, 439, 403, 441, going on to win six of the matches and losing just one. | In their first innings in the last seven Tests in Adelaide Australia have scored 428, 575, 556, 552, 439, 403, 441, going on to win six of the matches and losing just one. |