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England challenged to show Ashes fight

3 minute read

England's assistant coach Graham Thorpe says the tourists must show some fight to recover from a poor opening day of the second Test against Australia.

England's cricketers are being challenged to show some fight - and a smile - as they seek to rescue the second Test against Australia.

The tourists face a daunting task on Friday's day two of the Adelaide Test when Australia resume at 2-221.

Marnus Labuschagne is unbeaten on 95 not out, acting captain Steve Smith is 18 not out, and Adelaide's temperature is forecast to hit 37 degrees.

"We are going to have to fight hard," England assistant coach Graham Thorpe said.

"It's very important that we're able to make some early inroads.

"Roll our sleeves up and get stuck in - and enjoy what we do which is very important ... come in with smiles on our faces and look forward to day's work."

England's opening-day tactics revolved around short-pitched bowling for large chunks of time - a ploy questioned by many, including David Warner who made 95.

"The length they bowled ... isn't hitting the stumps," Warner said.

"I batted out of my crease and Marnus did too, to be able to adapt to leave the ball on a good length.

"We backed ourselves the ball would go over the stumps.

"That (short bowling) is a tactic they have obviously tried to put through to us. I don't know why they were doing that ... it worked into our plan a bit."

English wicketkeeper Jos Buttler also dropped two straightforward catching chances - both from Labuschagne's bat when he was on 21 and 95.

"Jos he is going to hurt tonight," Thorpe said after Thursday's play.

"But he's going to have to get out of bed and come again and enjoy his day tomorrow because that is what Test cricket is all about.

"Everyone ... who has played this game drops a catch, is always disappointed.

"But he's a human being ... you can keep magnificently throughout the day but if you drop a catch, it gets highlighted.

"We will get around him and try to be philosophical about it as well because I think you have to be."

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