Wicket keeper Brad Haddin admits the mood within the Australia camp is gloomy after a demoralising opening two days against England in the second Test at Adelaide Oval.
England destroyed the hosts on day one sweeping Australia aside and taking 10 wickets for a less than impressive total of 245 before the visitors stormed their way to a convincing 2-317 at stumps on day two.
Jonathan Trott (78) was spared on six runs when Xavier Doherty was unable to hit the stumps after a mix up, Mike Hussey dropped him at gully four runs later, before the right-hander escaped a third time when the ball sailed over Haddin's glove.
"Obviously we're not at our perky best in there. We haven't had a great couple of days but life goes on," Haddin said.
"We have to freshen ourselves up tonight, get a good night's rest and come back and do it all again tomorrow."
"This game does turn and you just have to make sure you're in the contest. The half chances just start going your way your player misses a couple and all of a sudden you're on a roll yourself."
He conceded England were in a commanding position to take a 1-nil lead in the series, but said Australia were still a chance of salvaging the Test.
Haddin acknowledged the size of the 'fight' ahead and remained adamant the home side would front up against the Poms and rise to the challenge on day three.
"Obviously it was a very tough day and England are in a very good position," he said.
"But, I think the important thing from our point of view, is we've just got to make sure we put up a fight. We've just got to make sure we stay strong and keep presenting ourselves in a way that we're hungry and really want to be in this contest."
"Test cricket isn't meant to be easy and we're in with a real fight on our hands at the moment. We've got to make sure we aim up tomorrow and make sure we're there for the contest. We've got to make sure we come out over the next three days and fight."
The star of the show was Alastair Cook who enjoyed a stunning unbeaten 136 and another solid partnership with Trott as the pair posted a 173-run second wicket stint.
Cook's brilliant ton means the 25-year-old has scored a massive 438 in his three Ashes innings highlighted by a flawless 235 not out at the Gabba.
Haddin said the left-hander may be in the form of his career.
"It was a tough day and everything seems to be going England's way at the moment," he said."Cook is playing extremely well and Trott and Pieterson contributed well. He's playing extremely well at the moment, as he did at the Gabba and he's just hungry for runs and to occupy the crease."
"They're playing some good cricket at the moment and Alastair is at the top of their list. I think he's in his own zone at the moment and he's playing some good cricket. You have those times in your career when your bat is as wide as a door."