ENGLAND know it is “now or never” as they head into the next Ashes Test in Adelaide 2-0 down, but belief inside the camp remains strong.
Despite missed opportunities in the opening two Tests, the players are not feeling sorry for themselves and still believe they can turn the series around in Australia.
Former England all-rounder Chris Woakes is one of those backing England to respond, insisting this group is still dangerous if it reaches its capacity.
Woakes believes captain Ben Stokes has been deliberately using the press to send a message to his own players, with time running out and no margin for error left.
England have not won an Ashes Test match in Australia for nearly 15 years, but Woakes insists this team still believes it can defy the odds.
He said: “Laugh at me if you like, but I believe in England – they have got what it takes to win the next Test.
“England can win in Adelaide. I believe that if any team can come from 2-0 down in Australia, it’s this team.
“Many people would laugh at that and say we’re on the ropes, but this team is still dangerous if it performs at capacity, and at the minute it hasn’t.
“We need the wounded lion to come to the party. It’s now or never.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
“If England reach their capacity and play close to their best, they can beat Australia.
Woakes admitted there was frustration among the squad after letting chances slip earlier in the series, but said belief remains.
He added: “I spoke to a couple of the guys and there was naturally a bit of disappointment there with the opportunity that was in front of them before they arrived.
“There’s expectations not just from the outside, but from within as well. There’s still an inner belief that they can do something special and turn it around.
“Every discussion in the dressing room will be about how we get ourselves back into this series, not about feeling sorry for ourselves.”
Woakes also backed Stokes’ recent comments in the media, insisting they were designed to sharpen minds inside the camp rather than deflect criticism.
He said: “He’s got to a point where he feels this is the moment he needed to send a message and a warning to his players.
“This is the moment we need to figure out how to move this forward because what we’re doing at the minute isn’t good enough.
“What he said in the press was quite clearly a message to himself and his team that we can’t afford to keep letting moments slip in Test matches.
“We’re getting ourselves into positions of strength and then letting those moments go.
“If you let those moments slip against quality opposition in home conditions, you’re on a hiding to nothing.”
Chris Woakes was speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest cricket odds, ahead of the third Ashes Test match.
