Peter Moores says England are desperate to regain pride after clear-the-air talks following their one-day thrashing by New Zealand in Hamilton on Tuesday.
The tourists went 2-0 down after a 10-wicket humbling and coach Moores admits a frank discussion followed.
“The lads were good. Most people are going to front up – they have to, that’s their job,” he told BBC Sport.
“The key is how we react. They have to come back with something in Auckland that says we are a good team.”
It is very hard to see how England are going to be able to pick themselves up in time
England, who lost the opener by six wickets in Wellington, collapsed from 90-2 to be bowled out for 158 in the second game.
New Zealand cantered to their rain-adjusted target of 165 in 18.1 overs to take control of the five-match series.
Moore says his players must now draw on previous encouraging results and remind the Kiwis they are no pushovers in Friday’s third match.
“We have a lot of work to do, we have to face up to reality and address a few areas,” he added.
“They’ve got to remember they’ve won the last two one-day series in tough conditions against India in England and in Sri Lanka and take that belief.
“Prior to these two games, we played two very good Twenty20s and had two very good performances in our warm-up games against Canterbury.
“The lads have got to take from that they can play, they are good players – they just have to relax and show confidence.
“One of the biggest drives for any sportsman is to gain respect. It really drives you to say ‘That wasn’t really our true team, there’s something more in this team’ and it stirs something within you.
“I’m sure that will be the case and, in many ways, the key issue here will be on top of all that we allow ourselves to play for the rest of the series.
“That will require us to be skilful, calm and confident as well as charged. We have to be both otherwise we’ll be a bit of a bull in a china shop.
“We’ve got good players in the team and they’ve got to deliver.”
Source: England eager to restore dignity
