AUSTRALIA GO FOR KILL
We want to make England pay, admits ton-up Marcus North
MARCUS NORTH believes Australia will deliver a crucial psychological blow if they complete a crushing First Test victory today.
England had been fancied to make a successful start to The Ashes series at Cardiff but have been comprehensively outplayed.
And, with just eight wickets intact, they now need to survive three sessions if they are to avoid a thumping defeat.
Making his Ashes debut, North was one of FOUR Aussies to make a century, leaving Andrew Strauss and his team bedraggled and dispirited.
North, whose 200-run partnership with another Ashes debutant and ton-maker Brad Haddin enabled Australia to declare with a 239-run lead, said: "There was a lot of talk before this Test about England's two spinners on a wicket that takes spin.
"We tried to combat that and to achieve that is pretty pleasing.
"And now to wrap it up and go 1-0 up at a ground and at a venue where a lot of people fancied England's chances would be a real confidence boost - especially with the history at Lord's and the success we've achieved there."
If England, who lost Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara before rain ended the day's play a session early, surrender their chances of reclaiming The Ashes will be dramatically reduced as they head to the next Test at Lord's.
They have not beaten the old enemy there since 1934 - the year Fred Perry won his first Wimbledon title.
And the fired-up Aussies are convinced they will roll England over - even though some bookmakers, perhaps with the threat of light showers, still have the draw as favourite.
North added: "Your body language is never that good in the field when you are taking the third new ball and, hopefully, now we have ground them down in the field, they will have heavy legs when they come out to bat."
England, whose five frontline bowlers conceded over 100 runs APIECE, need another 219 to make Australia bat again but they looked mentally drained before Welsh rain gave them a respite.
But Paul Collingwood, the only English bowler to take a wicket yesterday, believes they can regroup.
He said: "It's up to every individual to see this through. We have got three sessions to bat out and we believe we have the batsman to do it.
"It will be tough but it's time to stand up and do it. It has been a tough four days. We batted well at times but that last 20 per cent of going on to make big scores was missing.
"The ball wasn't swinging. It has been difficult for the bowlers. One of our strengths is swing and reverse swing and the ball did nothing.
"Give a lot of credit to Australia but there are areas in our own performance we can improve on.
"We've got eight wickets in the shed. Someone has to put their hand up and do it for England tomorrow."
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