Captain Michael Clarke is confident his rejuvenated side can reclaim cricket’s world No.1 ranking, and the Ashes, in a massive year ahead for Australian cricket.
Australia begin their quest to return to the top of world cricket on November 9 when they begin a three-Test series against No.1-ranked South Africa in Brisbane.
After that, they face another three-Test series against Sri Lanka, before embarking on a four-Test tour to India and back-to-back Ashes series away and at home in one of the most testing and anticipated periods in Australian cricket history.
After dominating much of the world cricketing landscape since 1995, Australia’s crown has slipped in recent years, dipping to a nadir in the 3-1 Ashes defeat at home in the 2010/11 season which included three innings defeats.
But a 4-0 whitewash of India last summer and the emergence of a new generation of stars including David Warner, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins has given rise to hope Australia could regain its status as cricket’s dominant force in all forms of the game.
“I make no bones about the Australian team getting back on top,” Clarke said at the official launch of the Australian cricketing summer in Sydney on Monday.
“It’s a really exciting 12-15 months, as big a time that I will have in my career.
“I can guarantee you it certainly won’t be lack of work ethic that lets the Australian cricket team down.”
Clarke said Australia had a good base to build from given their thrashing of India who, only months before, were ranked as the world’s leading Test side.
It was a series in which Warner and Pattinson both emerged as world-class talents and older hands Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus proved they could still match it at Test level.
“We started well against India and we are wanting to build on that,” Clarke said.
“It is a really exciting time for this young side.”
Back-to-back Ashes series will be played for the first time next year, scheduling that came about due to the London Olympics and the 2015 World Cup which Australia will host.
Clarke said he understood the anticipation surrounding the battle between cricket’s oldest foes but said his side needed to prove their character against a battle-hardened South Africa first.
“We have some really tough opposition in South Africa, the No.1 side in Test cricket, coming to Australia very soon and our main focus is on that,” he said.
“England is always a tough series over there, the Ashes away and the Ashes at home, a very exciting 15 months.
“Although the public and the media look forward to such a big Ashes series and that will certainly be built up, the players are focused on what is in front of us.
“South Africa are as good a team as there is in the world. They are not only strong with the ball but they have a lot of batting. It is really important for us to stay focused on them and not to look too far forward.”
