Australian captain Michael Clarke has confirmed his fitness and will lead his side in their four-day tour match against Somerset, starting on Wednesday.
Speaking at the tourists’ first training session under new coach Darren lehmann, vice-captain Brad Haddin confirmed: “Michael is definitely playing against Somerset, which is great news.
“It is the first match of an Ashes tour and the Australian captain is pretty excited about being involved. He is in a good spot. He had a good catching session this morning and a bit of a hit, although I didn’t see much of that as I was in the net beside him.”
Haddin revealed that the Australia team to face Somerset would be Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Nathan lyon, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc.
“That’s the side we have decided to go with. We wanted to give this group a hit,” he said. “Chris Rogers has been playing a lot of cricket over the past couple of months, so he is already in pretty good touch.
“I can’t say what the batting order will be because I don’t know. I could guess, but we will let Michael decide that on the day of the game.”
When asked about the decision to sack Mickey Arthur and appoint lehmann as coach just over a fortnight before the start of the Ashes, Haddin said: “We’ve had a change of coach, but we don’t want to dwell on what has gone on before because that is of no benefit to anyone. Our job is to move forward and play some cricket.
“Training was good and sharp, so the new coach got a tick today! Darren is a good person, who loves the game of cricket and talking about it.
“He loves to see guys learning about cricket and has a lot of knowledge, so he is well respected over here and at home.
“He is very excited about getting the group together and playing some cricket. There has been enough talk, now it’s time to get out there and enjoy the start of an Ashes tour.”
Asked about morale in the camp following the change of coach, Haddin said: “It wasn’t hard to have a smile on your face today. It’s the first day of an Ashes campaign so it was obvious the guys would be in good spirits.
“It was really just a top-up day leading into our four-day game tomorrow. It was short and sharp and we got out of it what we needed.
“This is the most exciting tour you can possibly play on. The whole theatre around an Ashes series so you don’t need any further motivation for the first training session.”
‘We can win the Ashes’
Bristol: Darren lehmann insisted it was still possible for Australia to win the Ashes despite the upheaval that led to his appointment as the new head coach of the national side.
Despite everything that has happened in recent weeks, lehmann — who took charge with immediate effect ahead of the tour match against Somerset — was in bullish mood when asked if Australia could still regain the Ashes.
“Yes definitely, it is a challenge for all the playing group and everyone involved with Cricket Australia. We are going to play an aggressive brand of cricket that entertains people and fans and gets the job done on and off the field.”I am excited by the challenge.”
lehmann said he was keen to join forces with Australia captain and star batsman Michael Clarke, currently sidelined by a back injury. “I am looking forward to working with Michael closely,” said lehmann.
Meanwhile former England captain Michael Vaughan, who played alongside lehmann at Yorkshire, tweeted: “For the 1st time in Months I am worried about Australia... If Darren lehmann is the coach he will get them right.”
That led Clarke, appearing with lehmann at a Bristol news conference on Monday, to joke: “Has someone hacked his accountIJ “Surely he did not say anything positive. Playing for Australia is enough to galvanise the team. When you get that Baggy Green cap in your hand that is enough. We don’t need anything else.”