We don't want to give them a sniff, says Trott

It was only after conceding a first-innings deficit of 221 that England's top three batsmen began, and completed, a much-needed fightback – reaching a monumental 517-1 declared.

Jonathan Trott was the third man to reach three figures as England saved the first Ashes Test so emphatically, and will, therefore, start again at the Adelaide Oval tomorrow with confidence high that they can go 1-0 up with three to play.

With two Ashes centuries to his name after as many Tests – he famously marked his debut with a second-innings 119 in a series-clinching victory at The Oval last year – England's South Africa-born No 3 appears to have the knack of making big runs against Australia.

He is naturally intent on plenty more this winter, and well aware it will be more welcome if some of them come in the first innings.

"We don't want to give them a sniff," he said of the Australia attack. "That's our job, to get their bowlers into their third and fourth spells and get ourselves big scores."

England, who could muster only 260 after winning the toss at the Gabba last Thursday, have endured top-order wobbles at their first attempt in each match of their tour Down Under so far.

It was a similar story last week, when their last specialist batsman Ian Bell limited the damage with 76 from No 6. "The one thing we look at in Brisbane is the first innings," added Trott. "We didn't get as many as we'd have liked.

"It did a little early morning, then after lunch – and then flattened out.

"If we'd got a big score we'd have put pressure on them. As a batting unit, first-innings runs in Australia are very important. We hope we can get them in this game."

Trott appears to take little in life for granted, though, and despite reports that the Adelaide pitch is sure to favour batsmen and may result in another draw, he said: "This wicket could be completely different and seam all over.

"It might not be a batting paradise, so you've got to prepare for all eventualities."

He is not concerned, however, about the bad memories his team may retain from this venue – where on their last Test visit in 2006, even after a double-century from Paul Collingwood, they collapsed to an unexpected defeat on the way to a 5-0 series humbling. "I don't think the guys will be worried about four years ago. It was in the past – we're looking to come to Adelaide and win," said Trott.

"We went to Brisbane to win the game and unfortunately we couldn't do that, so it's still 0-0. But we're here with real energy and determination to go 1-0 up."

Australia inevitably face several unwelcome matters arising from their disappointing last two days in Brisbane.

Top of their agenda will be the form of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who had a miserable Test at what used to be his home ground – finishing with match figures of none for 170.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke, who also looked out of sorts in making a tortured nine runs from 50 balls in his only innings at the Gabba, is confident Johnson can bounce back.

"Mitch is fine," he said. "All of us face criticism throughout our careers – especially when you're not scoring as many runs or taking as many wickets as you'd like.

"But he's faced it before; I'm sure he'll face it again. He's looking forward to this opportunity in this Test match, and if he gets his chance I'm sure he'll grab it with both hands."

Australia do have options if they wish to make a change to their attack, with Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger added to the squad.

As for Clarke, hampered by a back injury in his preparation for the Ashes opener, he reports himself fully fit.

"I thought they bowled pretty well, and there was a little bit in the wicket," he said of his uncomfortable experience in Brisbane. "But my feet weren't moving as well as I'd like; I probably wasn't watching the ball as well as I should be and probably played not a very good shot.

"The ball I got out to was a pretty poor shot – the execution and shot selection probably wasn't right – so I'll learn from that and hope I can bat better in this Test."

He knows England may again try to test him with short balls, but believes that tactic is not suited to conditions.

"That might be their plan," added Clarke. "They might try to bowl a bit back-of-a-length to sit me back before trying to come forward. But in Australia in the second innings, once the wickets even themselves out, it's a pretty hard place to bowl short."

Australia (from): RT Ponting (capt), SM Katich, SR Watson, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, MJ North, BJ Haddin (wkt), MG Johnson, XJ Doherty, PM Siddle, RJ Harris, DE Bollinger, BW Hilfenhaus.

England (from): AJ Strauss (capt), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, ST Finn, JM Anderson, CT Tremlett, A Shahzad

Umpires: T Hill (NZ) and M Erasmus (SA).