AUSTRALIA’s captain Michael Clarke has urged his team to concentrate on their own game and not on the opposition on their upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa.
The 30-year-old will skipper his first Test series when the Australians travel to Sri Lanka for two Twenty20 matches, five one-day internationals and three Test matches in August and September, before touring South Africa in October and November and returning home for matches against New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka.
“They (Sri Lanka) are always a strong team, especially in their own conditions. I think for us right now our focus has got to be on ourselves and we’ve got to make sure we prepare as well as we possibly can, make sure we get our skills to the level they need to be and the guys are nice and fit and ready to play in tough, hot conditions,” he said.
“No doubt we’re playing two of the toughest teams in the world in their own conditions in Sri Lanka and South Africa so we have to be at our best but I’m really confident with the talent we have in our squads. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Sri Lanka are ranked fourth in Test cricket, while South Africa are second behind India.
Clarke did not comment on Simon Katich’s axing from Cricket Australia’s playing contracts on Tuesday, which prompted a stinging attack from the opener towards the national selectors, but is looking forward to seeing fast bowlers Ryan Harris and James Pattinson in action.
Harris, 31, made his return from a recurring knee injury in the Indian Premier League and Clarke hopes an international comeback is not far away.
“He played the IPL and bowled really well, as he does. He’s an amazing talent and it’s great to see him still a big part of the Australian cricket team,” Clarke said. “Hopefully, if his body holds up he’ll be playing a lot of Test cricket for us.”