England can recover from heavy defeat, says Flintoff

BRISBANE, Nov 27 (Reuters) Andrew Flintoff said England were still confident of retaining the Ashes despite losing the first test of the five-match series by 277 runs today.

The captain admitted his players had underperformed at the Gabba but said he had seen enough positive signs to indicate the series against Australia was anything but a foregone conclusion.

England were given no hope of winning the last Ashes series in 2005 after they were thrashed in the first test at Lord's and Flintoff said his team would be drawing on that experience to help look forward after such a comprehensive defeat.

''Obviously, we're disappointed we've gone 1-0 down but there's some character in that room,'' he told a news conference.

''It'll be tough to come from 1-0 down, we can't hide about that.

''(But) we've been in this position before, 1-0 down in an Ashes series with four to play, so we've got to take the positives out of this game and move on.'' England were comprehensively outplayed over the first three days in Brisbane and in danger of a humiliating defeat after Australia racked up 602 for nine, bowled the tourists out for just 157 and piled on 202 for one after resisting the option to enforce the follow on.

The match seemed certain to finish early when England lost three quick wickets before Paul Collingwood (96) and Kevin Pietersen (92) held the Australians at bay for three hours to force the match into a fifth day.

NOT PUSHOVERS Australia managed to wrap up victory 90 minutes into today's first session when England lost their last five wickets for 77 but Flintoff said the fightback was proof his team were not pushovers.

''Over the past 24 hours we salvaged something from the game,'' he said.

''The way Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood played yesterday, that partnership showed what good players they are and took a bit of pride from the game for us.

''This was a big game for us and maybe at the start there were a few nerves knocking around because it took us time to get into the test match but we've experienced that now and we can go into the next match knowing what to expect and how hard Australia will come at us.'' England will have little time to reflect on their loss with the second test starting in Adelaide on Friday but Flintoff said the quick turnaround was a blessing in disguise.

''It's not a bad thing, a test match coming around straight away.

We can sink our teeth into it,'' he said.

''We can't mope around, we've got four tests matches and to be thrown into another one at this stage is probably the best thing that could happen.

''It's a young side but we have been quick learners, the lads do learn quickly and they do adapt quickly. Our second innings batting performance got better but we know we have to improve in other areas.'' Flintoff, who took four wickets and scored 16 runs in the match, also played down suggestions his team's nervous start was a result of their rushed preparation.

The team arrived in Australia three weeks ago and played a one-day game and two three-day matches before the first test.

''Everyone's saying we didn't have enough preparation but I'm pleased where I'm at and if you asked the rest of the lads they'd say the same thing,'' Flintoff said.

''All the bowlers on this trip have got plenty of miles in their legs. The bulk of us were in India for four or five weeks.

''We just need to score more runs and need to take 20 wickets. I thought with the bat yesterday we improved and the bowlers have to try and create some pressure with the ball by being more consistent.'' REUTERS PM KP1027