Joe Root is pleased with the determination that England showed to close on 247-6 and take the second Ashes Test at Adelaide to the final day.
It was the first time in the series that the tourists had batted through a whole day, but Australia still require only four wickets on Monday to secure a 2-0 lead heading into the third match at Perth next week.
Root, who topscored with 87, his first international half-century Down Under, feels that it was important that England did not roll over under the attack of the Aussies' in-form pace bowler Mitchell Johnson.
"We needed guys to get some scores and show a bit of fight," Root told reporters. "As a team we know we have been under-performing. That is quite evident.
"We need to front up to the challenge ourselves, make sure we get in a scrap and do the country proud and lets hope that continues tomorrow.
"I enjoy the battle with Mitchell Johnson - he is trying to do his job for his country and I'm trying to do my job for mine."
Matt Prior and Stuart Broad will resume at the crease on Monday on 31 and 22 not out respectively.
