Michael Clarke insists Australia will be going all out to win the final Test despite only needing a draw to retain the Ashes.
Aussie vice-captain insists pressure is on England
Michael Clarke insists Australia will be going all out to win Thursday's decisive final Test against England despite only needing a draw to retain the Ashes.
A comprehensive innings and 80 run victory at Headingley ensured the tourists squared the series at 1-1 meaning that England it is England who must now triumph at The Oval to claim the little urn.
However, Clarke is adamant that Australia will have nothing but another win on their minds when they take to the field on Thursday.
When asked whether they would be playing for a draw, he responded: "I don't think we should start now. Out of the fifty-odd Tests I've played we've never tried to play for a draw so I'm pretty confident we won't be out there trying to have a draw."
Clarke also acknowledged that Australia's 2005 Ashes series defeat on English soil would serve as extra motivation in the days ahead.
"It's motivated me to date, yeah," he added. "Definitely.
"Once I arrived over in England in the back of my mind there's certainly memories of '05 that I wish I could forget.
"But that's I suppose what makes you become a better player and you try to learn from your mistakes not only as an individual but also as a team and I'm certain that all the guys that played in '05 in the Australian team will be really keen to make sure the result is a lot different come Monday."
Pressure on Trott
However, the Aussie vice-captain feels most of the pressure will be on England come Thursday and especially debutant Jonathan Trott who comes into the side for his first taste of Test action at a crucial time.
"Yeah it is a huge game," he continued. "Ricky Ponting's played over 130 Test matches and he said to us the other day that it's one of the biggest Test matches he'll ever play in or has ever played in.
"So for him (Trott) to make his debut, he's going to be under a lot of pressure, but I think any time you make your debut the pressure from within is the hardest part.
"You wait a long time for your opportunity and when you get that chance you want to make the most of it so it's going to be a big challenge for him but I'm certain he's going to look forward to it.
"For us it's important that we concentrate and have a really good look their whole batting line-up. As we've said, Trott's going to feel the nerves and be under pressure so the sooner we can get him in, the better.
"I think England have got a pretty strong batting line-up as they've shown through the series so hopefully we can bowl in the right areas and hold our catches and get Trott in very early."
Confident
Clarke insists he and his team-mates will go into Thursday's match high on confidence following their resounding success last time out at Headingley.
"The mood in the camp is very positive, like I say we did take some confidence out of the last Test match," he said.
"The last practice game was really good for a few of the guys to get some runs under their belt or take a few wickets and we're looking forward to Thursday's Test match.
"This group's feeling very positive about where it's at, we're pretty confident, we know it's going to be a really hard Test match but I think we're in a pretty comfortable position at the moment."
Boost for Test cricket
He also believes the close-run series has provided a timely boost for Test cricket in general with other forms of the game now playing an increasingly prominent role.
"I think the series has been fantastic, from the day I arrived over I really wanted the series to be pretty similar to '05, obviously with a little bit different result, but played in a similar sort of spirit and I really think it has been," he noted.
"I think the series has been amazing for the game of cricket. I think there's been a lot of support from back home, definitely over here in England and from around the world. I know both teams will be looking forward to getting underway on Thursday."
