England will feel a lot better about themselves after finishing the first day of second Test at 266-3. Led by Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen, the tourists regrouped after a sluggish start, scoring 208 in the final two sessions in Adelaide.

Collingwood ended the day just two short of the century he narrowly missed at Brisbane, while Pietersen looks as menacing as ever on 60 not out. The two continued where they left off at the Gabba, combining for an unbeaten 108-run stand.

For Australia, the pick of the bowlers was Stuart Clark with 2-25 from 15 overs. He was tight and swung the ball, causing the batsmen a lot of concern.

Captain Andrew Flintoff had no hesitation in batting after winning a crucial toss. A more circumspect Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were more intent on surviving than scoring, so when they both departed there wasn't much to show for their efforts.

Unlike Edgbaston 2005, there wasn't the aggression that England displayed then when they scored 132-1 in the opening session. Ricky Ponting's captaincy was roundly criticised in the last Ashes series and the English batsmen have to put more pressure on him, particularly on his field placing and bowling changes.

Additionally, the Australian bowlers can't get away with having their bad balls unpunished and prodded back down the pitch.