Aussie captain wants Australia to focus on winning second Test rather than thinking of Brisbane win
Captain Michael Clarke yesterday told his Australian team not to gloat after their emphatic first Ashes Test victory over England, and focus on winning again in the second match in Adelaide.
Michael Clarke during a practice session yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
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The Australians trounced the Ashes holders by 381 runs in the opening clash at the Gabba.u00a0Skipper Alastair Cook admitted England were “totally outplayed” in Brisbane, but Clarke urged his team to stay grounded heading into what is shaping up as a crucial Test in the series today.
England fought back to draw the opening Test of the corresponding series in Brisbane three years ago before thumping Australia by an innings and 71 runs in Adelaide and going on to take the series 3-1.
Clarke said the Australia side was a long way from being the team they wanted to be. “I’m excited by the way we played in Brisbane. But, if you look at our results over the past 12 months, we have no reason to brag, or gloat or be over the top,” he told reporters. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.
Here’s how a dressing room looks like: A photograph of the Australian team’s changing room shot yesterday ahead of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide. Pic/Getty Images
Every single player, their feet are well and truly on the ground. Our celebration after Brisbane wasn’t anything like I’ve seen Australian teams celebrate when we’ve had big wins like that.
“I think that’s because everybody knows we’re a long way from being the team we want to be. It’s only one Test win and we’ve got some work to do in this second Test and throughout the series.”
Clarke named an unchanged team for Adelaide, the first time he has been able to do so since the corresponding match last summer against South Africa.
Clarke vowed to maintain the same hard-nosed approach that Australia used to damaging effect against England at the Gabba.
“We’ll continue to play a tough brand of cricket on the field, but as we’ve all said, we know there’s a line you can’t cross,” Clarke said.
“The respect hasn’t changed one bit. We still have the ultimate respect for our opposition. They’re a very tough team. I think you’ll see the England team come out bigger and stronger after losing in Brisbane and make it a real tough challenge for us in Adelaide.”
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