Trott plays down England's Ashes advantage

Adelaide:

England batsman Jonathan Trott on Wednesday played down suggestions his team will take momentum from its strong performance in the Ashes series opener into the second Test against Australia.

Trott, who was one of England's three century makers in the second innings at Brisbane, said the teams would go into the match starting Friday at nil-nil in the five-Test series, with no advantage to either side.

England coach Andy Flower had previously said the short turnaround between the first and second Tests would allow his players to build on their strong finish in Brisbane and give Australia little time to regain confidence.

Trott differed on principle with Flower over the value England would take from its strong showing in Brisbane, where it recovered from a 221-run first innings deficit to score 517-1 and take command of the match.

Flower saw England's comeback as a likely asset in the second Test, lifting its spirits while Australia contended with the hangover from its more mediocre showing.

"Ideally you want to move on as quickly as possible whether you've done well or poorly in the last match," he said.

"I think winning is a habit and fighting out of tough situations is a habit, as well. I'm glad our guys are responding that way to any adversity and that's what we expect of them, so I agree it does become a habit."

Trott was more circumspect, suggesting neither England nor Australia had yet established a clear advantage in the series.

"Obviously, we went to Brisbane to win the game and we weren't able to do that," he said. "So I wouldn't say there is any advantage on either side. It's still nil-nil and we come to Adelaide with a determination and real energy to hopefully go one-nil up in the series.

"And that is all we are thinking about," he added. "We are not thinking about what has happened in the past or what has happened in the last innings or anything like that. That is finished as far as we are concerned as a team and we're looking forward to Friday."

The South Africa-born Trott said England couldn't count on having its strong batting form in the second innings at Brisbane carry over to the Adelaide Oval, which typically provides ideal batting conditions.

"It was important that we set about our second innings in a positive manner and played really well," he said. "The way we went about it is obviously pleasing and we will take a lot of good things out of that into this Test match come Friday.

"But cricket is a funny game and a tough game," he added.

In selecting its second Test lineup, Australia faces a difficult decision over whether to retain faith in out-of-form fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.

Online polls run by Australian newspapers on Wednesday showed some 85 percent of respondents believe Johnson should be dropped after his return of 0-170 in Brisbane.

Former players and media commentators were divided on the issue, with some insisting that Johnson was down on confidence and had to be replaced and others calling for him to be given another chance.

Trott refused to join the debate on Wednesday.

"We don't really worry about the opposition, we worry about our 11 on the park," he said. "And we play whoever we come up against with just as much intensity as usual."