Ashes 2013-14: Australia reaping rewards of summer revival, says skipper Michael Clarke

 
9 December 2013

Michael Clarke revealed Australia’s campaign to win back the Ashes began when England believed they were still the dominant force.

Australia will regain the urn if they win the Third Test in Perth, which starts on Friday at a venue where England have lost their last six Tests.

Clarke’s team lead the five-match series 2-0 and on the face of it, the reversal in fortunes appears remarkable given England won the home series 3-0 only four months ago. Yet Aussie skipper Clarke insists their revival began in the middle of that tour.

“In England, we thought we were a lot closer than the results showed,” he said after his side completed a 218-run win here earlier today. “It’s not a fluke that we have won these two matches.

“It’s the hard work that we put in during our time in the UK, when we thought we were so close, but we didn’t quite get over the line. As a team, we believe in the work we have been putting in over a long period of time and now we’re seeing the results, which is very pleasing.

“We took a lot of confidence out of the back half of the series in England. It’s nice to see everyone contributing at the moment. Everyone has played a part, which is the sign of a great team, and we need to become the team we want to be.”

Australia have named an unchanged squad for the meeting at the WACA, where Mitchell Johnson will seek to claim his third consecutive man-of-the-match award of the series, at his home ground.

The fast bowler, a figure of fun for England supporters during the 2009 and 2010/11 Ashes campaigns, followed his nine wickets in the First Brisbane with eight here, including seven for 40 in the tourists’ first innings.

The conditions in Perth, where the wicket usually has pace and carry, are expected to be ideal for Johnson.

He added: “I guess that having that intimidation factor is definitely a bonus. It probably wasn’t quite there in previous Ashes series so just to be able to back my ability and know where I want to bowl has been really enjoyable. I will continue to do it throughout the series.”

GARY BALLANCE and Jonny Bairstow will play for the England Performance Programme in the three-day game against Western Australia 2 XI, starting in Perth tomorrow, as the pair seek to put themselves in the frame for a batting spot in the Third Test.

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