BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Giles hails England fightback

England's Ashley Giles has praised the team's character after they bounced back from a torrid first day against Australia in the first Ashes Test.

Ashley Giles and Craig White celebrate the wicket of Adam Gilchrist
Giles and Craig White celebrate an Aussie wicket
England managed to skittle the last eight Australian wickets for just 114 runs on day two in Brisbane - with spinner Giles taking four wickets.

And then openers Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan attacked the Australian bowlers to give England a solid start with the bat.

England ended the second day on 158-1, with Trescothick unbeaten on 63 and Mark Butcher 51 not out.

Giles said: "We may not be as talented as this Australian team.

"But, if nothing else, we have got plenty of character and we will fight for every run and every wicket."

England still trail by 334 runs - and Giles knows they cannot afford to lose focus against the Australians.

Full Brisbane scorecard

"As soon as you take your foot off the gas they will hit you hard," he warned.

"We have got to dig in again. It has been a great partnership between Marcus and Butch but now they need to do it all again."

But Giles added: "It was fantastic today.

Andy Caddick bowled a whole session from one end... he was fantastic

Ashley Giles

"After the disappointment of yesterday, when we let ourselves down a bit with our bowling and fielding, we really fought back and competed.

"We were pretty low last night after a long hot day in the field but it's a lot better now.

"The guys are very focused. We have got to get about these guys and we have done that well today.

"We knew we let ourselves down in some departments yesterday and we have put it right today.

"Andy Caddick bowled a whole session from one end. He was fantastic - back to his best."

Of his own performance, Giles said: "I enjoyed it. I thought we bowled pretty well yesterday without much luck.

"I hope I get a few more [wickets] in the series. I will treasure every one of them.