Flintoff: We`ll come out fighting

Andrew Flintoff is backing England to learn quickly and bounce back from their opening Ashes Test mauling by Australia at the Gabba.

Having dominated the Test for the opening three days, Australia completed their expected victory after 90 minutes` play of the final day with the tourists slipping from 293 for five overnight to 370 all out to lose by 277 runs.

But captain Flintoff remains confident England can rally after a dismal start, as he said: "We're a young side, but we have been quick learners. We're obviously disappointed, but there are some characters in that room and some really tough lads."

He added: "As disappointed as we are we can't mope around and sit around thinking too much. We've got to learn from it, obviously, but there are four games to go.

"Some of us are in a position we've been in before - 1-0 down in an Ashes series with four to play - and we're going to take the positives we can take out of this game going forward to Adelaide on Friday."

With nine members of the first Test line-up also having played in the 2005 victorious series against Australia, England should not have to worry too much about whether they have the self-belief necessary to triumph down under.

Nerves were blamed for England's depressing start to the series as Australia piled up 346 for three at the end of the opening day, but Flintoff believes they will be better for the experience by the time they walk out at the Adelaide Oval.

"Some of the lads are playing in their first Ashes Test and with the magnitude of the game, I'd have been disappointed if there weren't nerves in the dressing room with what this Test match means to a lot of people," said Flintoff.

"Maybe at the start there were a few nervy lads knocking around and we took our time to get into the Test match, but having experienced that now and had a taste of what Ashes cricket is about, we can go into Friday knowing what to expect and how hard Australia will come at us and what a big game it is.

"It will be tough to come back from 1-0 down, we can't hide from that but there is a lot at stake. There is a big incentive and we just have to get on with it."