Response has been fantastic - Flintoff

12 April 2012

Andrew Flintoff is confident he has seen enough of a response from his under-fire England squad to believe they can be competitive in the remainder of the Ashes series.

The England captain and the rest of the touring party has faced several days of self-analysis following their comprehensive 277-run defeat at the Gabba.

"The way we've practised this week has been fantastic," Flintoff said. "I think everyone realises that we're better than how we performed last week, we're a better side than that, and the net practices have been unbelievably competitive."

He added: "Kevin Pietersen came out of the net and said it was like batting in a Test match.

"The bowlers are keen to prove they are better than what they showed in Brisbane and made it hard for the batsmen in the nets."

Flintoff has not only been pleased at England's response in practice, but also in their general demeanour.

"The heads were never going to go down because we've got four Tests to go," he added.

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

"They are tough lads and proud of the way they play their cricket. We've played well for the past two or three years and they want to play like that again - it's not knocked the stuffing out of us by any stretch."

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