Michael Clarke urges side to win the final one-dayer against England – Cricket News Update
The Australian skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, who on Saturday digested his first series defeat as ODI and Test skipper, has urged his side to win the fifth and final match of the ODI series against England at Old Trafford, on Tuesday.
Having already lost the series to their traditional rivals, with defeats at Lord’s, The Oval and Riverside, the mighty Aussies have only the finale at Old Trafford, on Tuesday, in their hand to restore some of the lost pride, ahead of next year’s Ashes series.
"We've been outplayed – simple as that," said Clarke, after his side’s eight-wicket defeat at the hand of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Cook-c1026 and men, at Chester-le-Street on Saturday night. "But we've got one game to go, and I'd be very disappointed to go home without a win
– that's for sure," he insisted.
After being put into bat by the hosts, the world number one ranked ODI side could only manage a paltry 200 for 9 in their stipulated 50 overs, with only four players – Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, David Hussey and Brett Lee – scoring above 20. While the
rest of the line up fell for single digit scores, including http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380 was the only saving grace, scoring 73-ball 70, while skipper Clarke managed 43 runs from 85 deliveries.
"I do believe England got the better of conditions, but it's easy to make excuses,” said the 31-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-South-Wales-c823 middle-order batsman, reflecting on his side’s Saturday’s performance. “I think we had the better of conditions at Lord's as well, and
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 still found a way to beat us," he added further.
To make things worse for the Kangaroos, their spearhead pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 left the field in the midst of England’s innings last night, with suspected calf injuries. The duo underwent MRI scans after the match, however, the results
of the scans are yet to be received by the Australian team management.
Clarke confirmed the injury concerns about Lee and Watson, however he was unsure about the extent of injuries.
"I haven't had time to speak to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alex-Kountouris-c43123, (Australia's physiotherapist) yet, but I do know they've both got calf injuries – to what extent, I don't know," said the visiting skipper after the match.
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