Shaun Udal is hoping that England can repeat the Adelaide heroics of 1995 in the second Test against Australia.

Injury brought Hampshire off-spinner Udal's only Ashes tour to a premature end shortly after England answered their critics by winning at Adelaide in January 1995.

But although he only played two first class matches on that tour, Udal still has vivid memories of the 106-run win in the fourth Test of the 1994/95 series.

It ensured that the final Test in Perth was not a dead rubber and was the highlight of a series that England were to lose 3-1.

John Crawley (bruised hip) was a major doubt and Ashley Giles was ruled out of tonight's clash. But eight years ago England had been reduced to five fit batsmen before winning in Adelaide - their first Test win in Australia in ten attempts.

Crucially, they were also without Darren Gough who, like Simon Jones, was England's main weapon on his first tour of Australia.

Gough had taken 6-49 and smashed a whirlwind 51 in the previous Test, a draw in Sydney, before he was forced home early with a broken foot.

Udal, 33, said: "We were in total disarray at the time, we had had an incredible number of injuries. Graeme Hick, Alec Stewart and Neil Fairbro-ther had all been forced out of the tour and we had to call up Chris Lewis, who'd been playing out in Melbourne.

"We were totally decimated, which was the last thing we needed after the draw in Sydney, a game we could have won.

"But we producd a real backs to the wall performance, it was a great effort. I remember Daffy (Phl DeFreitas) smashing a quick 80-odd in the second innings and Mike Gatting got a very important hundred.

"But it was a slightly different situation that time. We were two Tests down with two to play and realised we had nothing to lose so we went out and gave it a go.

"England know that they are 2-0 down if they lose this match but if they're going to keep the series alive they have to forget that and give it everything."

Udal recognises that the current Australia side is an improvement on Mark Taylor's 1995 team.

He said: "I think we're expecting too much.

"This Australia team is the best in the world by far and they beat every team easily, not just England.

"Realistically, it's very difficult to expect England to bring back the Ashes but if they don't believe they can there's no point in going out there.

"They have to give 110 per cent every day and hope that Australia are below par to stand a chance but what's been disappointing so far is the batting.

"Creepy (John Crawley) has done well and Robert Key is pushing for a place but the top order didn't produce in the first Test. But I don't think Key will play this time."

Udal has never played Test cricket but was unlucky not to be selected ahead of Richard Dawson for a tour place this time around, having taken 50 first class wickets at 35.12 to the Yorkshireman's 39 wickets at 39.38.

Udal also averaged three more runs (25.26) with the bat than his fellow off spinner but is spending the rest of 2002 preparing for his last couple of benefit events when he is not working for printing company The Karran Group.

Next up is a six a side tournament on Saturday with Robin Smith, Giles White and Will Kendall all set to play. The action gets underway at 1pm at the Dummer Cricket Centre.

More details on www.shaunudalbenefit.cricket.org