http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 says successful Champions defence will be huge boost ahead of Ashes – Cricket news
Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes successful defence of their Champions Trophy title will give them a huge boost ahead of the Ashes series, which follows the eight-team One Day International tournament.
The seventh and last edition of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 begins in England on July 10, 2013. After two successive
Ashes losses, stakes will be high for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and Men when they meet the Poms in the five-match Test series in July August.
However, the Aussie skipper has said that the traditional Test rivalry is not on their minds at this stage adding that they are focused on retaining the esteemed one-day trophy, which they had won in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in 2009.
“I don't think we as a team are focused on the Ashes at all at this stage,” said Clarke while speaking to media reporters on Wednesday.
“I think if we win the Champions Trophy it'll be more than enough (experience of English conditions),” said Clarke. “That's the best preparation possible. Like I say, my focus is having success in this tournament right now. I'm not too concerned about the
Ashes right now.”
The visiting skipper further said that he and his supporters back home love to speak and hear about the Ashes, since it is a fantastic series that every Australian and English cricketer looks forward to, but at this stage they just want to remain focused
about the eight-team ODI showdown, which is just a week away.
The eight teams participating in the Champions Trophy have been divided into two-groups of four each. The mighty Aussies have been pooled in Group A with Ashes rivals England, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, South Africa
and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
The high-profile ODI contest gets underway at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on June 6, with the World Champions India taking on South Africa.
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