Clarke demands improvement
June 30, 2012 12:33:45 UK
Australia captain Michael Clarke is targeting a big improvement from his players in the second one-day international against England on Sunday.
The tourists lost by 15 runs at Lord's on Friday and have just a day to get things right at The Oval, with England aiming for a series whitewash which would see them usurp Australia at the top of the world rankings.
My goal is to pick the best XI and we will do that at The Oval.
Michael Clarke
The current world number one one-day side are 5.00 to win the series, while England can be backed at 1.14.
"It is not five trial games, we are here to win," said Clarke, who is 4.33 to be Australia's top batsman on Sunday.
"My goal is to pick the best XI and we will do that at The Oval. I don't care which players take the field. We will look at areas to improve."
Steve Smith came in at number six at Lord's and struggled against the England attack, facing just 13 balls and posting eight runs before getting out, and Clarke hopes he can step up to the mark at The Oval.
"He is a very talented all-rounder," said the skipper in the Herald Sun.
"He can bat, bowl and is as good as anyone in the field so I would love to see him put his hand up and make some runs.
"It is a crucial position not having Michael Hussey.
"He went back to NSW and tried to score as many runs and take as many wickets as he could and now he is being given a second opportunity and it is about taking this opportunity with both hands and not letting go of it again."
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