After being on the receiving end of a hostile 381-run defeat in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, you could forgive England players for a cursory look to the skies and a quiet plea for help through gritted teeth.
Rather than looking to the heavens, Graeme Swann has turned to one of his mentors, Australian spin legend Ashley Mallett, for advice.
Mallett assessed Swann’s performance in the first Test, as well as offering his opinion on what he’ll need to do to wrest the series back in England’s favour.
"Swann didn't get as much bounce, didn't have as much overspin on the ball,” said Mallett, of Swann’s toil at the Gabba.
“In Adelaide it's a slower track. You still have to get the ball up above the eyes and dip it; it's a bit different surface.
“I reckon you'll see more topspin from him this game.”
Swann ended the summer Ashes series as England’s leading wicket-taker, but the winter reply is already shaping up to be a different prospect entirely. Michael Clarke has also shown canny team selection, filling his team with right-handers, nullifying Swann’s ability to turn the ball away from left-handed batsmen.
“The Aussies have counteracted that with a good selection policy and they've attacked him which is the right message to send to the England team,'' said former captain Michael Vaughan.
“The only way a finger spinner gets in the game in Australia is by scoring big runs. You're not in the game if you're bowled out for 136,” said Vaughan.
“I thought he did a good job on day one, held an end, then in the second innings he's got no chance because they're so far behind.
“He's got to hope their batsmen get a big score on the board, as they did in 2010-11 regularly then he can attack. But if the team's out for 130, 160, your off-spinner in Australia has got no chance.”