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Acting captain Michael Clarke has laughed off revelations England’s 2005 Ashes upset over Australia had more to do with Marcus Trescothick’s sucking “murray mints” than his bowlers’ reverse swing.
Pakistan ‘let down’ by Australia, South Africa
Clarke, who will lead Australia in his first series against Bangladesh in Darwin beginning this weekend, was bemused by Trescothick’s admission in his recently released autobiography “Coming Back To Me” that he sucked the breath fresheners to help him keep shine on the ball during the Ashes series.
The former England opener, who staged an emotional retirement from cricket this year after being diagnosed with severe depression, said it was his responsibility to keep the shine on the ball during the Ashes series using his minty spit that worked like “Mr Sheen”.
Clarke said today what transpired in 2005 was in the past.
“Marcus has written a book, hasn’t he?,” smiled Clarke.
“Well …. good luck, like I say, that’s in the past.
“Right now we’re looking forward to playing the Deshis (Bangladesh) up in Darwin.
“We’ll get our chance in the next 15 months to play against the Poms back in England.”
Asked if Trescothick’s admission finally explained why England’s bowlers were able to get reverse swing while the Aussies couldn’t, Clarke said it wasn’t a concern.
“It actually doesn’t bother me at all right now,” said Clarke, in Brisbane with the Australian squad for a two-day camp before three one-day games in the tropics.
Clarke also said he very pleased the International Cricket Council had finally made a decision to postpone the Champions Trophy scheduled to be played in September in strife-torn Pakistan.
Australia was one of four nations seriously considering not going to troubled country for safety reasons which would have been a disaster for the tournament’s broadcasters.
“It’s a great result for all the players just to find out whether we’re going or not going,” said Clarke.
“I think all the guys are happy now we know now the that ICC, Cricket Australia and ACA would make a decision and they’ve finally done that.
“It’s a tournament (title) Australian currently holds, and next year, whenever they put it on we’ll look forward to retaining that trophy.
“Right now all the guys are rapt the ICC has made a decision.”
Opening batsman Matthew Hayden was today ruled out of the Bangladesh series, saving him from the long flights to Darwin and back that would have hindered his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.
Ricky Ponting will also miss the series after undergoing wrist surgery while fast bowler Brett Lee has been given time off to deal with the stress of his recent marriage break down.
“All the guys have been in contact with Brett whether it’s via text or phone and he knows everyone is supporting him,” said Clarke.
South Australian speedster Shaun Tait was sending down his thunderbolts in the nets at Allan Border Field today but team officials were quick to deny he’d been brought into Darwin squad late; he was just in Brisbane for some bowling practice.
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