Flintoff rallies beaten England

12 April 2012

Andrew Flintoff is backing his beaten England side to rediscover the spirit of 2005 and bounce back from an opening Test defeat to mount a competitive Ashes challenge.

Just 14 months ago England responded to a crushing defeat by Australia at Lord's to rally magnificently and win the Ashes for the first time since 1986-7. That same scenario faces the tourists once again after they slipped to a resounding 277-run defeat at the Gabba.

"We're obviously disappointed we've gone 1-0 down, but there are some characters in that room and some really tough lads," claimed the Lancashire all-rounder. "As disappointed as we are, we can't mope around and sit around thinking too much. We've got to learn from it, obviously, but there are four games to go."

He added: "Some of us are in a position we've been in before - 1-0 down in an Ashes series with four to play - and we're going to take the positives that we can take out of this game going forward to Adelaide on Friday."

England's hopes of salvaging an unlikely draw were effectively ended after just four balls when Kevin Pietersen, who was unbeaten overnight on 92, clipped Brett Lee straight to Damien Martyn at short mid-wicket.

Geraint Jones also contributed 33, but with Stuart Clark claiming the last three wickets to claim a seven-wicket match haul, Australia's victory was never really in doubt.

"We're a young side, but we have been quick learners," said Flintoff. "The lads do learn and adapt quickly, and between now and Adelaide we're going to have to.

"I thought the second-innings batting performance got better. Alastair Cook played well at the top of the order and the two lads in the middle scored runs. We'll have a chat and bounce ideas around but we're going to have to improve quickly and learn quickly."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who was named man of the match after scoring 196 in the first innings and an unbeaten 60 in the second, admitted the taste of victory was sweet after waiting 14 months for revenge.

"We've started this series very well," Ponting enthused. "From the first day right the way through the Test we've been in total control of the game and it's very satisfying. To have waited so long for this game to come around and train as hard as we have and get ourselves prepared, for it all to fall into place as it has been great."

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