Australia insist they can swing momentum back in their favour for the fifth Ashes Test, confident the Old Trafford horror show with the ball can be a one-off event.
Players have freely admitted this week they got out of jail in last week’s fourth Test, after wet weather washed out the last day and helped them retain the Ashes.
But Australia have been in no mood to celebrate in the three days since the draw.
There was no team song after being informed the match was drawn and the Ashes retained, nor any of the party videos that went viral in 2019.
Instead, the focus has been on becoming the first Australian men since 2001 to win an Ashes series outright in England.
And to do so, Australia know they must be far better than in Manchester last week.
England’s 592 at Old Trafford last week was the most destructive innings in Ashes history, going at 5.49 an over as Zak Crawley hit 189 at better than a run a ball.
It prompted captain Ben Stokes to since remark on Wednesday that it appeared as if Australia had run out of answers.
Australia have admitted that they need to review their tactics, which were widely criticised for being too straight and short for large portions of the innings.
England’s all-out attack also prompted suggestions the hosts could carry that momentum into The Oval, and run away with the match to level the series at 2-2.
But Travis Head is far from convinced that is the case.
“England will feel like they’ve got momentum from this week. But momentum has shifted the other way pretty quickly,” Head said.
“Momentum has shifted so much during each Test, not only just the series.
“That’s what’s made this series so good. That’s what’s made every Test match so good.”
Head was also adamant there had been no need for panic in Australia’s team after being so far behind the game in Manchester, having long known Bazball would at one stage click for England.
“There was always going to be a day when they outplayed us and it was going to look at bit chaotic,” Head said.
“That’s not dissimilar to everyone in international cricket. Everyone is going to have a day where you could be better.
“I don’t think it’s possible to go through with a perfect clean sheet, never look like you’re flustered or never look like you’re overwrought.”
Australia will likely stick with a similar side for The Oval, with Mitch Marsh looking fit to play and Cameron Green a chance to be squeezed out if spinner Todd Murphy is recalled.
England are unchanged, but also do not expect to have it all their own terms like they did in Manchester.
“It’s a new game and things can play out differently,” Stokes said.
“We just need to go out there and put the same amount of pressure onto Australia.”