Mark Wood is pinning his hopes on the second new ball at The Oval to put England back on track to win the Ashes 4-1.
Alastair Cook banked on lateral movement, and perhaps more Australian fragility, when he put the tourists in under heavy cloud cover in the fifth Investec Test.
But with the Ashes already decided after Australia were bowled out for just 60 at Trent Bridge as they took the fast route to innings defeat there, this time they were in no mood to go quietly.
Instead, they closed on 287 for three after David Warner (85) - in a century opening stand with Chris Rogers - and then Steve Smith (78no) profited from exercising due care and attention.
But with the new ball just two deliveries away, Wood senses England could yet win a fourth home Ashes Test for the first time.
"Australia showed greater determination today (than at Trent Bridge), and we've got to do the same thing tomorrow morning," he said.
"We have to try to take early wickets to stay in this game, and try to win it.
"This is the Ashes, and you're representing your country - and we've got that desire to win 4-1, which I think would be a huge moment for English cricket.
"If it was the other way round, Australia wouldn't let up, so we can't take our foot off the gas."
The change of ball could yet be key.
Wood added: "It's Australia's day. When you're put into bat and you're three down, you've got to say 'Well played Australia'.
"If we could have got a couple more wickets in that last session, I'd have said it was an even day.
"But we've got that new ball round the corner. So you never know - if we get two or three early tomorrow, then we could grab that momentum back."
There was no significant contribution to the cause for outgoing Australia captain Michael Clarke, who made only 15.
But he was accorded a guard of honour by Cook's hosts as he walked to the crease in his final Test before retirement, a gesture Wood believes perfectly fit the occasion.
"The respect shown for Michael Clarke was because of the phenomenal career he's had, and the great player he is," he said. "It was just the right thing to do, I think.
"I don't know if it was planned, but Cookie just said 'Line up, and show respect'.
"You saw the crowd show their respect as well, and he totally deserves it."
Warner, set to become Australia vice-captain in the post-Clarke era, agrees.
He said: "All the greats of the game deserve that credit. He's been a fantastic captain, a fantastic leader and good team man for us... it was great respect from the English cricket team."
