Mike Atherton and the England team went back to work yesterday morning. Two days of chilling out by the hotel pool, or body-surfing at Maracas Beach, were followed by nets and a lot of soul searching. The next five days - or however long the third Test is destined to last - will in all probability decide the destiny of this series. England simply cannot afford to lose.

The immediate aftermath of the defeat on Monday left the England side as devastated as the West Indies were jubilant. Carl Hooper may, single handedly, not just have won them a famous victory (only the seventh side ever to make the highest score in a Test match to win), but resurrected West Indian cricket at a time that the death notices had been posted.

After the match, Atherton had looked and sounded utterly spent. Yesterday, however, rested and relaxed, he was chipper and confident. "These two days off have been important," he felt.

The England captain knows though that in the wake of the West Indies success the task of lifting his side will be an immense challenge. Back to back Tests have meant that pitch preparation has not proceeded as smoothly as hoped.

Apart from some light sprinkling after play, the new strip had not had water on it for a week, and therefore was totally dry.

So as soon as the match finished on Monday, the hoses were on. Unfortunately however, the following two days were overcast, muggy, and, on Wednesday, drizzly as well, so yesterday it was still damp.

Both ends are bare, which may help a spinner, but the game will still revolve around the middle of the pitch which, although it was awaiting a final cut yesterday, will still be moderately grassed.

Given the way the second Test went for three days, it would be harsh to chop the side around and so barring injury or illness (and there was mild concern about some stiffness to Adam Hollioake's back as well as a bit of flu around) England seem certain to field the same 11.

Nor, in view of what happened, are West Indies likely to make changes. Their confidence is sky high but just as England's loss exposed some frailties, so West Indies' win cannot be allowed to camouflage in particular some leadership from Lara which at times bordered on the bizarre.

England have bounced back before but they will do well to stay in the series now.