England vow to keep 'fighting and scrapping' as Ashes slip away

ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec 18 (AFP): Bowling coach Marcus Trescothick said England would keep "fighting and scrapping" as the Ashes slipped from their grip Thursday, while paying tribute to a dehydrated Ben Stokes.
Only a stirring fightback can seemingly save the tourists, who need a win in the third Test against Australia in Adelaide to keep the series alive.
They trail by 158 with two wickets in hand after reaching stumps on day two at 213-8 in reply to Australia's 371.
Trescothick said it was disappointing they were unable to make more of an impact on a flat track perfect for batting.
"We are behind the game again in the situation we currently stand," he said.
"But another 10-11 overs till the new ball tomorrow to try and score as many runs as we can and obviously then see what happens from there on in.
"But we're disappointed, of course. I think we're still fighting, we're still scrapping away in terms of what we're trying to do.
"I thought Australia bowled well and didn't make it easy for us, and credit to them for that," he added. "But we've just got to keep digging in and keep scrapping away and see what we can do."
He admitted the batsmen were "frustrated" at not being able to make more of an impact, with Stokes' unbeaten 45 the top score.