Opener Michael Carberry is adamant England did not underestimate the Australia bowling unit after the tourists were blown away on a dismal second day in Brisbane.
Mitchell Johnson led the onslaught with a hostile spell of fast bowling which resulted in figures of four for 61 as England were bundled out for 136 in reply to Australia’s 295 in the first Ashes Test.
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Australia then closed on 65 without loss — a lead of 224.u00a0Alastair Cook’s men have failed to break 200 in the first innings of the first Test on each of their last five tours but Carberry insists they were not caught unawares by Mitchell and Co.
He said: “I wouldn’t say (we’re) shell-shocked.u00a0We’re pros, and when things don’t go to plan there’s a slight feeling of disappointment.u00a0“But we’re a confident bunch in our abilities, and we know we can bounce back from disappointing days.u00a0“They’re a good bowling unit. They’re not to be taken lightly, and we certainly haven’t.u00a0“We have to focus on getting back in the game.”
Carberry top-scored for England with a composed 40 before the collapse — the tourists slipped from 82 for two to 91 for eight.