Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke says success at the Champions Trophy one-day tournament would be a big filip for his side going into the Ashes.
Clarke and several players left from different cities on Sunday to travel to the United Kingdom for the start of an arduous campaign.
While plenty of chat has centred on the five-Test series starting in July, Clarke is prioritising the Champions Trophy being held in England and Wales through the first three weeks of June.
“Obviously the build-up and the talk is going to be about the Ashes, but for us as a team we’re very focused on the Champions Trophy,” Clarke said at Sydney Airport on Sunday evening.
“We know already that if you are not 100 per cent focused, you’ve got no chance.
“I think you’ll see a really focused one-day outfit in this Champions Trophy tournament.
“I think the extra motivation if we can have success in this one-day tournament, and drag that confidence and momentum into the first Test, I think that will be very handy.
“We’ve got a really good squad and some good options to win the Champions Trophy and I’m confident if we can play our best we can have some success in this tournament.”
He nominated England, South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan as some of Australia’s major rivals for the Champions Trophy.
Clarke said he hadn’t decided where he’ll bat in the Test team but would come in at No.4 in the one-day side.