Melbourne, July 12: Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that the ODI series against an unstoppable England was a bonafide audition for Test spots, leaving selectors with few candidates deserving an Ashes call-back.
Cricket Australia selectors will hold a debrief on a 4-0 England crushing victory that not only delivered Australia’s worst bilateral series defeat, but exposed flaws in those who had been bracketed as the best and brightest.
Selection boss John Inverarity also confirmed that Peter Forrest, George Bailey, David Hussey, James Pattinson and David Warner were being tested against an England ODI side hardly different from its Test unit.
Clarke said: “I know it''s a different format but I got my opportunity in Test cricket through one-day form. Any chance you get to play for Australia in one-day cricket you''re pushing for Test selection.
“It''s been good to have a look at guys, no doubt, give them a taste of international cricket. I certainly didn''t expect to lose 4-0 that''s for sure. I have to learn from it as a captain. We need to sit down as a team and have a look at our performances over the last 12 months and areas we need to get better.”
Selectors will have noted how every player responded to a pressure test against the England’s batting line-up and relentless pace attack.
© ANI
