Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has dismissed his team's disappointing form in warm-up games and vowed to shape up in time for the World Cup, starting Saturday.
Published: Feb 16, 2011, 01:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 16, 2011, 01:47 PM (IST)
Michael Clarke says Australia have good players of spin and playing them is not a worry.
Bangalore, February 16, 2011
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Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has dismissed his team’s disappointing form in warm-up games and vowed to shape up in time for the World Cup, starting Saturday.
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The defending champions were walloped by seven-wickets by old foes South Africa in Bangalore on Tuesday for their second defeat on the trot after a 38-run reversal in the opening practice game against India.
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Australia, seeking their fourth straight title triumph, open their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe on February 21 in Ahmedabad.
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“Obviously the result did not go the way we would have liked,” Clarke told reporters after the match.
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“But we all understand that they are practice games. It’s more about giving boys an opportunity than about winning. A practice game is a practice game. So it’s important to maximize the chance to give everybody the opportunity to bat and bowl, and more importantly, to get used to the conditions,” Clarke said.
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Clarke also sought to brush aside his team’s vulnerability to spin bowling in the two warm-ups. “I don’t think it is a worry. Spinners are probably going to play a big part in the tournament. All the players have their plans against spin bowling and we have good players of spin. But there are obviously areas we need to improve.”
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“We play Zimbabwe in a week’s time. Everybody had a bit of a run around and has seen the conditions. It’s about preparing well for the next six days to be in right shape before the game against Zimbabwe,” he added.Â
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Australia are placed in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya with the top four making it to the quarterfinals.
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