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Australian vice captain Michael Clarke says his side has no intentions of chasing a draw when the decisive Ashes Test starts on Thursday at The Oval.
The tourists will retain the urn if they avoid defeat in the fifth and final Test at the south London venue.
But Clarke said that wouldn’t be high up in Australia’s agenda at the beginning of the clash.
“I dont think we should start that way, no,” he said.
“In the 50-odd Tests I’ve played, we’ve never played for a draw, I’m pretty confident we won’t be out there trying for a draw.”
He said Australia’s statistical dominance in the series would count for nothing at The Oval with the tourists having five of top six run-scorers and the three leading wicket-takers.
“That doesn’t guarantee you are going to win,” Clarke said.
“What’s important is the four Tests that are gone are exactly that – gone.
“Right now they mean nothing.
“It’s 1-1, this is the important Test match and this is the one we’re focused on.”
Meanwhile England allrounder Andrew Flintoff said he expected to be fit for his final Test appearance before retiring at the age of 31 due to persistent injuries.
His camp was fuming that he had been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test because of his ongoing knee problems before Australia romped to victory at Headingley to revive their Ashes campaign.
“One of the things I’ve been trying to do is get the swelling down,” he said.
“I’m confident I’ll be alright, I just have to prove it.
“I’m sure there will be an element of swelling, however that can be managed.”
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