Clarke expects tough final
ByReuters
Published 03/11/2006 at 14:36 GMT
Australia will have to be at their best to beat the West Indies in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday, versatile batsman Michael Clarke said. "They are playing good cricket at the moment and are going to be tough to beat," he told reporters on Friday.
CRICKET, Michael Clarke, Australia
Image credit: Reuters
Australia are aiming to end their Champions Trophy drought in their maiden appearance in the final, after having lost in the semi-final stage in the previous two editions.
"I think West Indies have got a lot of fantastic players and have shown that they have played well as a team," the 25-year-old New South Welshman said.
"They have got the likes of (Brian) Lara, (Chris) Gayle, they have also got some young guys coming on."
West Indies handed Australia their only defeat in the group stage, when young paceman Jerome Taylor took a hat-trick after Runako Morton (90 not out) and Lara (71) scored half centuries.
"They played fantastic cricket in the first game. But (in) the last two games, we played brilliant (cricket). We had two very good wins," said Clarke, who has recovered fully from tonsillitis.
Australia got to the final after defeating former champions New Zealand, while West Indies scored a comprehensive six-wicket victory over South Africa in their semi-final.
Clarke has not had many opportunities to bat in the tournament.
"Fortunately for the Australian team, the batters have been doing a fantastic job, while I have not had to do too much batting."
Clarke also said he was looking forward to facing in-form batsman Gayle, who scored an unbeaten 133 against the Proteas.
"Chris (Gayle) and I get along very well. I have known Chris since I was 18. I met him at the Australian Cricket Academy," he said.
"He played brilliantly last night. And I look forward to our friendly banter out there again."
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