CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/WELCOME Clarke joyful as Australian team welcomed to London ahead of Ashes

Record ID: 151900

  • Title: CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/WELCOME Clarke joyful as Australian team welcomed to London ahead of Ashes
  • Date: 22nd June 2015
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 22, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF AUSTRALIA HOUSE, AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION SIGN READING (English): "AUSTRALIA HOUSE" AUSTRALIAN FLAG WAVING GUESTS INSIDE AUSTRALIA HOUSE FORMER AUSTRALIAN TENNIS PLAYER PAT CASH TALKING TO JOURNALIST CASH LAUGHING AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN MICHAEL CLARKE WALKING INTO
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4BY91O5TU4MG2K0W3XY7J0R3B
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Australian Cricket team was welcomed to London at a party at the Australian High Commission on Monday (June 22), as they gear up for the start of the Ashes test series against England this summer.
    At a jovial ceremony, attended by other Australian sporting heroes such as former tennis player Pat Cash and Formula One driver Mark Webber, captain Michael Clarke and his team were welcomed to England as they try and retain the Ashes they won in 2014.
    The Ashes, which date back to 1882, represent one of the fiercest rivalries in international sport. It is a series that Australia has won 32 times, compared to England's 31, and the Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer left this current Australian crop in no doubt about the result he expected.
    "England is, let's face it when it comes to cricket, the great enemy - you can lose to anybody but you can't lose to England. So, I know there is an old saying here in England, of all places, that it is the game that counts, it isn't whether you win or lose. I am not sure that I think that - it is not right mate, it is that you win!" said the high-spirited Downer.
    Clarke himself is all too aware of the pressure on his team. Despite coming into this series as favourites, and thrashing England 5-0 last time out in Australia, Clarke leads a team without a single player to have won an Ashes test series in England.
    Australia have now lost on their last three visits to England, their most recent victory coming in 2001.
    "Unfortunately for all the players that stand in this room, none of us have won an Ashes series (in England). So, our goal is, to state the obvious, to go home from this series as winners," said Clarke.
    Despite the pressure on them, this Australian team very close knit and as Clarke made jokes as he introduced each member of the squad to a delighted crowd.
    Clarke made particular note of David Warner's recent claim that he will reduce the amount he talks on the field, otherwise known as sledging.
    Warner, whose boisterous style has made him a controversial figure, has said he will concentrate more on his play than on winding up the opposition.
    Clarke said Warner was now more a butterfly than a bull.
    "And last, but certainly not least, David Andrew Warner. Now, David's old nickname was the bull. It is now the butterfly. Please, nobody take offence if David doesn't respond to your questions tonight, he is concerning energy," joked Clarke.
    Clarke believes his side will again prove their critics wrong in this year's Ashes after being described as a "Dad's Army" by former fast bowler Jason Gillespie.
    Australia's squad includes two 37-year-olds, opener Chris Rogers and wicket keeper Brad Haddin, along with fast bowler Ryan Harris and batsman Adam Voges who are both 35.
    Clarke said this criticism came with the territory.
    "I haven't spoken to Dizzy (Gillespie)," said Clarke as he spoke to the media on the side of the event.
    "No, look Jason (Gillespie) is a fantastic man, and I loved every game that I played cricket with him, so our relationship certainly won't change. He is a great fella. That is part and parcel of playing sport at the highest level; people are going to have their own opinion, and they are entitled to that. So, as a player, it doesn't have much relevance."
    Clarke was also asked whether he expected to be knighted if he led Australia to victory, similarly to England's victorious 2005 Ashes side who were all awarded MBEs.
    However, Clarke joked that he wouldn't be able to show his face in his home town of Liverpool.
    "I don't think 'Sir Michael Clarke' suits me at all, no. I am a Liverpool boy through and through and I can't imagine my mates calling me 'sir anything," he said.
    Clarke may not want a knighthood for his efforts, but he will be hoping his team can handle the pressures to come and do something that hasn't been done for fourteen years: win an Ashes series in England.
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