 England captain Andrew Strauss salutes the crowd. AFP photo |
England captain Andrew Strauss recognizes his team's tendency to put in lax performances when coming off a high, and is urging his side to ensure they finish off Australia in the fifth and final Ashes test starting Monday.
Having achieved its first goal of retaining the Ashes - it leads the series 2-1 and as holders of the Ashes will retain them if the series is drawn - and its next target is to complete England's first series victory in Australia since 1987.
Strauss knew there was a risk that England could "slip into bad habits" by putting in a relaxed performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and will be stressing the need for a more ruthless display.
"There is no way we want Australia to win this test match and draw this series," Strauss said Sunday. "We are in a great position to win the series but we need to play well again.
"It is a lovely feeling to know the urn is coming back with us but it will leave a bitter taste in the mouth if we aren't able to play well this week. It is a big challenge for us because we have a lot of people patting us on the back and telling us how brilliant we are but the reality is that you are only as good as your next game."
Australia enters the final test of an unsuccessful series under an unpopular stand-in captain, but will be eager to square the series, save some face and begin a much-needed rebuilding process.
Michael Clarke, who is deputizing for injured skipper Ricky Ponting, announced the Australian starting lineup on Sunday, confirming that Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja would make his debut, and likely bat at No. 3, and left-arm spinner Michael Beer would also get his first cap, preferred to paceman Doug Bollinger.
"We still have so much to get out of this last test match. We can't regain the Ashes, but we can level the series," Clarke said. "The least we can do is show that Australian fight, which everyone in that dressing room has."
Clarke said his aim was to start the new year with a win and build momentum lost during an inconsistent 2010 for Australia.
"It's a new focus, a new year. We're really looking forward to this test match," he said. "We've spoken a lot about what's gone before us. But we need to be focussed on right now. This test match. Individually, getting out there and facing this challenge head on."
The 24-year-old Khawaja, who moved to Sydney as a boy with his family and has already represented Australia at under-19 level, will be the first Muslim to play test cricket for Australia.
"His performances over the last couple of years in first-class cricket have shown, at that level, he's been one of the best players if not the best," Clark said of the stylish left-hander. "He's earned the right to represent his country.
"I have no doubt in my mind Usman will play a lot more than one test match for Australia. It's important when he walks out on the field he's doing nothing different to what he's done the last two years for New South Wales. Get out there, play his way, be himself, be confident.
"I guarantee you, if he gets out there and plays the way he's played for New South Wales, we all know he'll have success over a long career."
Having achieved its first goal of retaining the Ashes - it leads the series 2-1 and as holders of the Ashes will retain them if the series is drawn - and its next target is to complete England's first series victory in Australia since 1987.
Strauss knew there was a risk that England could "slip into bad habits" by putting in a relaxed performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and will be stressing the need for a more ruthless display.
"There is no way we want Australia to win this test match and draw this series," Strauss said Sunday. "We are in a great position to win the series but we need to play well again.
"It is a lovely feeling to know the urn is coming back with us but it will leave a bitter taste in the mouth if we aren't able to play well this week. It is a big challenge for us because we have a lot of people patting us on the back and telling us how brilliant we are but the reality is that you are only as good as your next game."
Australia enters the final test of an unsuccessful series under an unpopular stand-in captain, but will be eager to square the series, save some face and begin a much-needed rebuilding process.
Michael Clarke, who is deputizing for injured skipper Ricky Ponting, announced the Australian starting lineup on Sunday, confirming that Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja would make his debut, and likely bat at No. 3, and left-arm spinner Michael Beer would also get his first cap, preferred to paceman Doug Bollinger.
"We still have so much to get out of this last test match. We can't regain the Ashes, but we can level the series," Clarke said. "The least we can do is show that Australian fight, which everyone in that dressing room has."
Clarke said his aim was to start the new year with a win and build momentum lost during an inconsistent 2010 for Australia.
"It's a new focus, a new year. We're really looking forward to this test match," he said. "We've spoken a lot about what's gone before us. But we need to be focussed on right now. This test match. Individually, getting out there and facing this challenge head on."
The 24-year-old Khawaja, who moved to Sydney as a boy with his family and has already represented Australia at under-19 level, will be the first Muslim to play test cricket for Australia.
"His performances over the last couple of years in first-class cricket have shown, at that level, he's been one of the best players if not the best," Clark said of the stylish left-hander. "He's earned the right to represent his country.
"I have no doubt in my mind Usman will play a lot more than one test match for Australia. It's important when he walks out on the field he's doing nothing different to what he's done the last two years for New South Wales. Get out there, play his way, be himself, be confident.
"I guarantee you, if he gets out there and plays the way he's played for New South Wales, we all know he'll have success over a long career."
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