Adelaide - Brad Haddin admitted Australia were not at their "perky best" on day two of the second Test but insisted the players must keep believing in themselves if they are to avoid defeat in Adelaide.
England are 317-2 in their first innings, 72 runs ahead of Australia with Alastair Cook looking unmovable on 136 not out and Kevin Pietersen a destructive force at the crease on 85.
After being bowled out for 245 on the first day, the Australian bowlers struggled - taking just two wickets.
Following on from nearly two days in the field in the drawn first Test at Brisbane - when England made 517-1 declared in their second innings - Haddin admitted team spirit was not at its best in the dressing room.
"Obviously we're not at our perky best in there," Haddin said. "We haven't had a couple of great days but life goes on. We've got to make sure we freshen ourselves up tonight, get a good rest and come back and do it all over again tomorrow because this game does turn."
With the memory of how England clawed their way back from a 221-run first innings deficit at Brisbane fresh in his mind, Haddin says Australia must keep reminding themselves that things can turn around.
"It was a long day and everything seems to be going England's way at the moment," Haddin said. "We've just got to make sure we stay strong and make sure we keep presenting ourselves in a way that we're hungry and really want to be in this contest.
"Test cricket is not meant to be easy and we've a real fight on our hands at the moment. We've just got to make sure we aim up tomorrow and make sure we're there for the contest."