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Clarke: Women can inspire men's Ashes bid

Ellyse Perry led the way for Australia in 2017. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)
20th November, 2017
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The Ashes-retaining feats of Australia’s women should inspire their male counterparts, says former captain Michael Clarke.

The men’s series starts on Thursday, two days after the women’s multi-format competition concludes.

Australia have already retained the Ashes by virtue of holding an 8-6 lead going into Tuesday’s final T20 game in Canberra.

Clarke, who has commentated on the series on television, feels the success enjoyed by the women has helped generate additional enthusiasm heading into the male component of cricket’s Anglo-Australian rivalry.

“I think excitement has probably grown even more from the success of the women,” Clarke said.

“The girls have done a wonderful job and deserve a lot of credit.

“I would imagine you take confidence as a team when you look at the Australian women’s team having success.”

The men haven’t always been ranked as high as their female compatriots, something Clarke was reminded of when he visited the Cricket Australia headquarters during his playing days.

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“They always had the rankings in their office and I remember when I was captain of Australia, the women’s team was one, one, one in all three formats,” Clarke said.

“I think we were fifth in Tests, one in one-dayers and I don’t even know where we were in Twenty20. I wasn’t playing Twenty20s at that stage.

“But my goal was like, ‘right, the next time I walk into this office, I want to see us in Test and one-day cricket as number one, because the women are there in all three formats.’

“I hope it’s inspired the boys to want to come out and dominate and play some really good cricket.”

Clarke felt if the pitches were flat, the superior speed through the air of Australia’s pacemen could be decisive.

While England will start the series without allrounder Ben Stokes, Clarke had a high opinion of Chris Woakes.

“I think he’s underrated, I think he’s a wonderful player,” Clarke said of Woakes.

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“If he (Stokes) is not here for the series, I think Woakes can do a really good job.

“Can he fill those boots? Well, he’s a good enough player with both bat and ball, very athletic in the field as well.”

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