Seems Pup has a little more sense of perspective

...than Paris.

He reckons (rightly) that a win over England in the T20 final won't make up for losing the Ashes.

Damn farkin straight, it won't. But I don't like the woof in the first paragraph.


"Michael Clarke says beating England won't make up for Ashes defeat

Australia captain Michael Clarke says his side's incredible semi-final win over Pakistan has given them the belief that they can win any game from anywhere.

But he insisted that victory over England in Monday morning's World Twenty20 final won't make up for the Ashes heartache he suffered last year.

As the two teams prepare themselves for another famous battle in the Anglo-Australian rivalry, Clarke says Australia are still buzzing from their incredible semi-final win over Pakistan on Saturday.

"I don't think I want the guys to forget that," he said.

"I think that memory will stick in my mind for the rest of my career. It's one of the most amazing games of cricket I've been involved in.

"I think we need to understand and accept that game's gone. But just keep in the back of your mind that what we showed the other day could happen out here as well. In our minds, we need to be very confident that we're never out of the game, we always have a chance."

Clarke said while victory over the old enemy wouldn't make up for losing the urn in June last year, it would be a timely boost ahead of this summer's Ashes series.

"It won't make up for it, but it would be a fantastic start to what is going to be a great summer back at home," he said.

"I'm certain every Australian and every English person loves seeing that battle. It's always tough cricket, in any form of the game. I'm certain tomorrow will be no different. So for now, it's about focusing on a huge game - a final - against a very good team."

England captain Paul Collingwood says Australia's brilliant run chase against Pakistan is a timely reminder of what his side is up against in the final.

"We always knew what Australia were capable of," Collingwood said.

"Whoever we played against in the final were going to be a strong side. Nothing surprised us yesterday. All we can concentrate on is our game.

"We believe we've got the skills to beat any side on the day. Australia have always been a very strong side, and they still are. It bodes well for what should be a very, very good final. I don't really want to harp on too much about Australia, because we've always known what they can do. What I want to harp on about is England. We have surprised a few of ourselves in this tournament - and the guys are very, very positive."

Clarke added that the experienced players in his side would be crucial in calming the nerves of his younger stars, such as rookie all-rounder Steve Smith.

"The guys who have taken part in big cricket matches - it doesn't necessarily have to be a final - have a huge advantage," Clarke said.

"There were probably guys in our squad that were picked not only because they are great Twenty20 players but have experience as well - World Cup experience, big Test match experience. Having a few senior players around will help the youngsters control their emotions."

-------------------------------------------


So KP's battle with the Aus quicks is the key?? Thoughts?

Pakistan handled the quicks well but couldn't contain the Aussie batsmen, though were doing well until the Hussey onslaught. England's bowlers will surely be more effective than the Pakistani ones.

You might expect the English batsmen to handle the quicks even better though it's at Barbados which is a faster pitch. Having said that the poms should be more equipped to deal with that than a sub-continent team. If KP and co. punish the quicks, Steve Smith might find himself under some serious pressure with his leggies. Also you wouldn't expect Swann and Yardy to be punished like Ajmal judging by their form so far in the tournament.

Clarke has more perspective re. the Ashes and test cricket but still is waxing lyrical about the win as if it was the greatest game in history.

Aye, Red. My gut feel says a more settled Engulund might just grab this Final.

skully wrote:Aye, Red. My gut feel says a more settled Engulund might just grab this Final.

The one variable militating against them may be the idea that it's a rare opportunity to grab some ICC silverware for their sad little cupboard. Even though Australia's team hasn't too many survivors from the trophy grabbing glory days there's probably less pressure in terms of winning the big one because of the cupboard is a happy little one.

Either way it will be a first - Australia gets its hand on the one bit of silverware which has eluded it to this juncture, or the poms get a chance to acquire a liking for some silverware.

The poms may also be a tad more rested with the extra day (Hussey looked drained at the end) and you might argue that it took a bit out of the Aussies but equally it's the sort of close shave which has inspired them in the past. You'd imagine the poms would be more wary of the Aussies than the idiosyncratic Pakistanis.

Michael Clarke says his side's incredible semi-final win over Pakistan has given them the belief that they can win any game from anywhere so he's going to give them the chance to prove it by batting more slowly than horace without his Zimmer frame in the early part of the innings to show how they can win from anywhere.

Fixed.