Flintoff predicts England resurgence

Thursday, 30, Nov 2006 11:13

England captain Andrew Flintoff is confident that his England side will provide a much stiffer test for Australia in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

The Lancashire all-rounder saw his team get off to the worse possible start in the first meeting last week.

Inspired by Ricky Ponting, Australia posted a huge first-innings total of 602 before finally sealing victory by 277 runs in Brisbane, but Flintoff insists that his side are ready to draw level in the series.

"We lost the Test, but there is a lot of character in this dressing room," he said.

"The lads want to win out here in Australia and I don't think they need any more incentive or any more rallying around.

"They are keen to put good performances in and there is still a real nice feeling in the dressing room, as there was before the last one, but there are some really determined lads aiming to try and show what we can do."

The skipper picked out paceman Steve Harmison for special praise after the Durham strike bowler's performance was picked apart by commentators in both countries.

"The one thing he has done this week is work unbelievably hard. He wants to show that he's better than he was last week."

"You know what you're getting with Harmy - he tries every time. It might not quite happen for him but I'm sure a good performance from him is just around the corner."