By Scott Heinrich BBC Sport Online

Australia's irrepressible resurgence in the second Test is further proof that it really is hard to keep a good team down.

England came crashing back to earth after flying high on the opening day courtesy of Michael Vaughan's century.

Such is Australia's quality there was perhaps an air of inevitability surrounding their abrupt riposte.

It isn't the first time England have flattered against the old enemy only to deceive.

Rack your brains and you will recall a time during the first Test that England and Australia were on level pegging - and it wasn't only at the toss.

The familiar sight of an Aussie comeback

A second day that belonged solely to England cancelled out an equally good opening day for Australia.

But it didn't last long. One and a half days was all the Aussies needed to break England by one of the biggest margins in Ashes history.

Throughout Australia's modern-day Ashes domination, a hallmark of their success has been a dogged resolve to never stay under the cosh for long.

Time and again England teams have won sessions, even days, only to have their hopes shattered by a team whose sense of competition borders on neurotic.

The mid-80s was not a good era for Australian cricket.

Dennis Lillee was a memory, the Chappells had called it a day and a captain of questionable leadership qualities called Kim Hughes was calling the shots.

It was around that time, 1986/7 to be exact, that England last won the Ashes.

The legacy of Border exists in today's Aussies

Though Allan Border was at the helm for that home series loss, his was the blueprint for the future of Australian cricket.

A cricketer of unwavering mental application, Border instilled similar qualities in his troops and passed them down to successors Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.

Border's 1989 unit were unfancied for their tour of England but returned home 4-0 victors. The rot had set in.

England's subsequent attempts to wrest back the trophy have been a mix of spirit and farce, but there has always been a bright spot along the way.

Things were looking good with Australia bowled out for 152 in the first Test in Brisbane in 1990 before Terry Alderman intervened and Australia went on to win by 10 wickets.

David Gower's ton in the second Test put England in control, but next dig Bruce Reid rumbled them for 150 and in no time England were 2-0 down and past the point of no return.

Warne has been a regular tormentor of England

The first Test in 1993 followed a similar theme, with Australia romping to victory after England had earlier removed their last eight first-innings batsmen for 69.

Indeed the theme for the entire series had been cemented, and after numerous false dawns England surrendered 4-1.

England enjoyed their fair share of bright moments in 1994/95 but again were put in their place when it mattered to go down 3-1.

Typically it was Steve Waugh who led the way with two centuries in the third Test in 1997 as Australia levelled the series 1-1 before retaining the Ashes in grand style.

Sadly for England, their input in the next two series was ineffectual as Australia recorded facile wins.

The signs from the present series, as sporadic as they may be, are not so bad.

Though the demoralising truth for England is that, on any given day, they are at least the equal of Australia.

But the Australians might be on to something when they spout about the mental edge they claim to enjoy over their greatest foes.