Freddie: We'll be ready

England captain Andrew Flintoff insists his players remain upbeat despite slumping to a 166-run defeat against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

The England team made a terrible start to their Ashes tour at Manuka Oval as they were bowled out for 181 inside 39 overs after the Australian invitational side had posted a mammoth 347 for five.

"I think it's fair to say we were outplayed by the Prime Minister's XI. They played some good cricket," said Flintoff. "In the dressing room, the confidence is fine. The lads are still upbeat, we've just got to keep working hard."

Man of the match Phil Jaques laid the foundations by hitting 112 off 110 balls, before Shaun Marsh, 78 not out, and captain Cameron White (30) tormented England's bowlers late on.

England were then reduced to 24 for two after losing Marcus Trescothick and Alastair Cook inside seven overs.

And although Andrew Strauss (67) and Paul Collingwood (35) brought some stability to England's innings, the game was over as a contest when they, along with Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff were out in quick succession.

"On previous tours we've started slowly and been beaten in warm-up games but we've bounced back quickly," added Flintoff.

"It was a one-day game and we're not going to get too despondent about it. Next week we've got the New South Wales game, in the longer form, and then we've got South Australia.

"We know we have to improve and we'll do that next week before the first Test in Brisbane."