Skip to content

Michael Clarke says Australia have momentum ahead of Ashes

Players form a guard of honour for Michael Clarke of Australia
Image: Michael Clarke: Australia captain feels the World Cup win will provide valuable momentum for this summer's Ashes series in England

Australia captain Michael Clarke is confident his squad's World Cup-winning momentum will help them win a first Ashes series on English soil since 2001 this summer.

The squad for the tours of the West Indies and England, along with an A team squad for a series in India, will be named by the Australian selectors on Tuesday, just two days after the successful World Cup campaign.

It is anticipated Australia will run the rule over a back-up wicketkeeper and second spinner in the Caribbean, with the clear priority being placed on the Ashes series in England, which begins on May 21 with the first Test at Lord’s.

Clarke and his players will undertake that challenge in confident mood having beaten New Zealand by seven wickets in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Thousands of cricket fans flooded Federation Square in Melbourne to celebrate Australia's World Cup victory.

"England are always tough, especially in their own backyard and by the time we get there they’ll be ready and we’ll have to be at our best,” said Clarke.

"There’s a fair bit of cricket to go before we have to worry about England. Hopefully the momentum that we can take from winning the World Cup can help us in the upcoming tours."

By contrast, England go into their own summer schedule in terrible form; they went out of the World Cup at the group stages and were beaten by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as the two finalists.

More from Cricket World Cup 2015

They are also in the West Indies for a three-Test series in April and May and prepare for the Ashes with a string of matches against New Zealand across all three international formats.

Despite England’s struggles, Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson feels it would be a career highlight to beat them in the Ashes this year.

"I don't like to compare Ashes series, but if we were to win over there then that would be the biggest for me," said Johnson. 

Around Sky