http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 expects Champions Trophy to be a tough tournament – Cricket news
Australian captain Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Champions Trophy to be tough tournament where almost every team will have equal chances of clinching the coveted trophy.
“We know how tough the Champions Trophy tournament is and how tough international one-day cricket is around the world these days with teams being so close together,” said Clarke while speaking to media reporters at a press conference in Cardiff on Wednesday.
In the latest edition of the eight-team one-day tournament Clarke and Men will be defending the title they had won in South Africa four years ago (2009), and the 32-year-old knows it is going to be a tough challenge, especially in the English conditions, where they have not played a match since July last year.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 after the 2011 cricket world cup, urged his players to be at their best in the tournament if they are to retain the title.
“You know, it's going to be a tough tournament, there's no doubt about it,” reiterated the right-handed middle order batsman, who also bowls left-arm orthodox spin. “We know we're going to have to be at our best and at this stage we're certainly very focused on making sure we're as prepared as we can be for that first game.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, commencing on July 10, 2013 at Trent Bridge, and Clarke believes winning the one-day tournament will set the momentum for them ahead of the Ashes rivalry.
However, he insisted that he and his players were not too concerned about the Test series, adding that all his and his team’s energies will focused on retaining the Champions Trophy title.
A total of eight teams, divided into two groups of eight each, will participate in the esteemed One Day International tournament. Defending champions Australia have been drafted in Group A along with hosts England, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. Tournament curtain raiser will be played between India and South Africa of Group B, at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on June 6.
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