Hoggard says England will be happy with a draw

ADELAIDE, Dec 3 (Reuters) England fear their chances of winning the second Ashes test are fading fast because of the slow pitch but believe they have already shown enough to prove they are right back in the series.

England were thrashed by 277 runs in last week's first test in Brisbane but have had the better of the Australians in Adelaide, making 551-6 then restricting the home team to 312-5 at stumps on day three.

Fast bowler Matthew Hoggard snared four wickets on Sunday to put the brakes on Australia's chances of pushing for victory but said he accepted a draw was still looming as the most likely result.

''We've had 11 wickets now in three days and there's still two days left so I don't think it's going to be a massive disappointment if we don't win from here,'' Hoggard told a news conference today.

''I don't think the noose is quite tight at the moment and the wicket is very placid and it takes a long time to bowl people out.

''It's been hard work to get wickets on that strip, so it's going to have to be a good professional performance tomorrow.'' Hoggard said England had not given up hope of winning but would be satisfied with a draw after proving to themselves they could match it with the world champions.

''I think it was vital that we put in a good performance in this game to show the Australians that we've come to Australia to compete and not to just roll over,'' he said.

''Obviously, the first game didn't go to plan but I think in this game we've showed them that we're here to fight and we're here to compete.

''I think we've fired a shot over their bows to show that we're here to hopefully retain the Ashes.'' BOWLED BETTER Although they did not get many rewards, England's seamers all bowled much better than in Brisbane, sticking to a disciplined line and length to ensure the Australians would have to work for their runs.

Steve Harmison, who was hopelessly erratic in the series opener, performed much better although he did not get a wicket, while James Anderson was also more economical.

Andrew Flintoff dismissed Justin Langer just before stumps on Saturday, but all four wickets on Sunday went to Hoggard.

He dismissed Matthew Hayden (12) and Damien Martyn (11) before lunch to leave Australia teetering at 65-3 then claimed the crucial scalps of Ricky Ponting (142) and Mike Hussey (91) in the last hour before the close to end a 192-run partnership.

''It was a very satisfying performance, obviously we knew it was going to be hard work today, the pitch wasn't too responsive and to put the ball in the right areas for a lot of the time to put the pressure on the batsmen,'' Hoggard said.

''It's always nice to get wickets, but it's a great team spirit in the camp and it's a matter of bowling in the team unit.

''Whoever gets the rewards then nobody cares because it's just nice to get rewards for a good team effort.'' REUTERS PM PM1546