Clarke focused on No.1 in all formats
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Michael Clarke has insisted that despite the 4-0 one-day series loss in England, he is still focused on seeing Australia return to No.1 in the world in all formats of the game.
That is likely to come as a bold statement of intent to Test and Twenty20 world leaders England, especially a year out from next year’s Ashes.
Australians, though, might be encouraged by his determination and drive – even if slightly unconvinced.
The No.1-ranked Australian team (in one-day internationals) took a jolt in their ambitions having been humbled in England with a near whitewash – albeit for a rain abandonment – but skipper Clarke still has lofty aspirations for the side.
He brushed off accusations that more preparation has gone into Australia’s Test team and maintained that all three formats are as important as each other (he has retired from T20 internationals).
“I would like to say our goal is to be No.1 in all three forms of the game,” Clarke said following England’s comfortable seven-wicket victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
“We have been giving guys an opportunity through one-day cricket to have a look at them for Tests as well but I don’t think we have prioritised Test cricket to a level to say we will sacrifice T20 or one-day.
“Australians want to be the best at what they do and my goal is to stay at No.1 in the one-day format, get back there in the one-day format.
“I think we have enough good players in the country. We are going to have to work our backsides off but I think we have enough talent to be No.1 in all three forms of the game.”
Despite Clarke’s bold and aggressive reminder to his countrymen of the team’s ambitions, he was also realistic enough to acknowledge the challenge that England pose in the world game, along with South Africa.
“England’s bowling attack is the best there is at the moment,” Clarke added.
“South Africa are right up there at the moment and that is why England have played their best attack in the one-dayers.
“They have experience and have played a lot of cricket together. It takes a long period of time to be No.1 in the world in the Test format and they’re heading that way in the one-day format.
“We can learn a lot from this series. We go to Dubai in a few weeks and can turn it around there.”
© AAP 2013
The Ashes journey begins
The Australian cricket team have left Australia to begin their tour of England, with a mission to reclaim the Ashes.
Australian captain Michael Clarke and his teammates were optimistic about their chances before jetting off.
Click here to hear the thoughts of our Australian cricket team as they left for England.
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The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 12th 2012 @ 11:49am
Jason said | July 12th 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
No 1 in all forms is nice to dream about but at this point I’d settle for a single win over England in beach cricket.
July 12th 2012 @ 12:19pm
Bearfax said | July 12th 2012 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Sorry Clarke. the glory days are over. And until your selectors get their selections right and start sticking with some of the ‘kids’ such as Hughes, Khawaja, Burns, Oz will be struggling to stay in the top half of the comp. As for you Clarke. You’re a top batsman and fielder and a competent bowler. I think also as captain, you make some shrewd tactical moves and you’re obviously a thinking captain. But to use Micky’s comment’ you’ve got to get some mongrel in your captaincy. Give your players the confidence that you respect their skills, but also that you expect that skill to be translated every ball on the field…no more Mr Nice Guy on the field…save that for when you’re winning..
July 12th 2012 @ 4:30pm
ak said | July 12th 2012 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
All teams are focussed on getting to No 1 position. Even Bangladesh. Whats the big deal?
July 13th 2012 @ 9:14am
Disco said | July 13th 2012 @ 9:14am | Report comment
I’ll be interested to see what happens in the UAE. Pakistan are very erratic in ODI cricket, so Australia may not need to improve much to win; though you can be sure they’ll be plenty of chest-beating and talk of “turning a corner” if they do. Seems to me like interactions with the media play a big role in the mental state and progress of this team.