Tuesday 28 July 2015 17:54, UK
Alastair Cook says the mood in the England camp is "fantastic" ahead of the third Investec Ashes Test, which starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
England had to endure a chastening four days at Lord’s earlier this month, suffering a crushing 405-run defeat to Australia having defeated them in the first Test at Cardiff.
But Cook says his team are now fully focused on the fact that the series is level with three matches to play and they have a chance of regaining the Ashes.
"Lord’s was obviously tough, especially on the back of Cardiff, where we played so well," said the England captain.
"We talked about backing up a good performance with another and we could not manage to do it. That has now gone, we have obviously had a few days off, and I think the mood in the camp is fantastic.
"The lads have been talking about the opportunity we have got ahead of ourselves now. We have come to Edgbaston, a fantastic ground where, if we play some good cricket, the crowd really get behind us.
"As a group of players we are looking forward to that challenge against a very good side.
"It’s kind of a three-match series now and we need to win two of these games to do something really special. That is what is getting everyone going.
"Lord’s was an absolute disaster in one sense, to play as badly as that after Cardiff, but that has gone now.
"In the professional sportsman way, you have to look forward to the next thing. The guys have got to put Lord’s behind them."
Lord’s was an absolute disaster in one sense, to play as badly as that after Cardiff.
England’s top order has misfired of late and they have responded by dropping Gary Ballance. Ian Bell and Joe Root will move up to three and four, with the in-form Jonny Bairstow coming in to bat at No 5.
And Cook said: "We have found ourselves, over the last six months or so, three wickets down early on too many occasions.
"We have had a little bit of a rejig. It was a tough call on Gary but he will be back, there is no doubt about that.
"Congratulations to Jonny, he has knocked the door down with his weight of runs for Yorkshire, who are top of the first division. I think he is still averaging over 100, which is fantastic cricket at any level.
"He is raring to go and I think there is a good mood in the camp. We can’t wait for tomorrow."
Edgbaston has been quite a happy hunting ground for England of late and Cook says the raucous crowd will act as a major plus if they can be given something to cheer.
"The crowd do get really behind us," he said. "When we do get on top, we feel it’s an extra man playing for you because of the noise. It’s almost a different atmosphere to anywhere else we play.
"I have seen Spider-Man climbing up the stand, Bananaman being chased, and it’s fantastic entertainment! But they can only cheer a side who are playing good cricket."
Watch the third Ashes Test from Edgbaston live on Sky Sports Ashes HD from 10am on Wednesday. You can also watch the third Test with a NOW TV Sports Day Pass. Plus, our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.
