Cricket: Adelaide pitch will soften blow for England

Stuart Broad leaves the field after being dismissed in the first test. Photo / Getty Images

England are determined to avoid getting "roughed-up'' by Mitchell Johnson two tests in a row.

Tailender Stuart Broad admits the Poms gave away some soft wickets in last week's 381-run loss in the first Ashes test in Brisbane, as Johnson helped himself to nine wickets.

The drop-pitch for the Adelaide test starting on December 5 is expected to offer less pace and bounce to Australia's quicks.

"We know the dangers Mitchell has. He has great pace and on that wicket he roughed us up with some short-pitched bowling," Broad said.

"I think Adelaide will be a different style of wicket and I'm sure we'll play it a lot better.

"We gave some soft wickets away at a bad times in that test match which really gave the Australians confidence.

"We need to get back to scoring big runs. Make ourselves difficult to get out.

"I think I saw 14 wickets get out on the leg side which is really rare for an international batting line-up.

"It's something we're aware of and there'll be some hard yards in the nets this week. We've got to improve with both bat and ball and we've got the characters in the changing room who will do that.''

Former England and Australia bowling coach Troy Cooley, who will take charge of the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI side in their two-day game against England starting on Friday, says Johnson is in dangerously good form.

"Left-arm, with the surprising lift that he gets, it's quite menacing and it can come from anywhere,'' Cooley told reporters in Alice Springs.

Jonny Bairstow and uncapped pair Gary Ballance and Ben Stokes are vying for the vacant spot in England's top six batting lineup in Adelaide following the return home of Jonathan Trott because of a stress-related illness.

Temperatures of over 35 degrees are forecast for the rest of the week in Alice Springs.

Broad was among a group of players who made the 461km trip to Uluru and says a bit of sightseeing has invigorated the under-siege side.

"You're always going to get people saying you need to spend more time in the nets but we were flying here anyway,'' Broad said.

"It was really good use of our time to get off the flight from Alice Springs to come and watch the sunset at Ayers Rock.

"It's a very peaceful place. It's a great place to relax and enjoy yourself on a tour that's so long in a great country like this.''

- AAP