Australian stand-in captain Michael Clarke says his team is still shocked by the terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan as they go into their five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE tonight.
Australian stand-in captain Michael Clarke says his team is still shocked by the terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan as they go into their five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE tonight.
"It is quite scary, but I think the positive that comes out from where we sit today is that we have got Pakistan back playing international cricket," Clarke told newsmen in Dubai yesterday.
"When you look at their team on paper they're very strong, they've got a very good attack with three very good fast bowlers and their batting is pretty experienced as well."
After seven months on the road, the Australians, with Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson and Michael Hussey rested for the tour, are buoyed by the return of dissolute all-rounder Andrew Symonds, explosive opening batsman Shaun Marsh, all-rounder Shane Watson and medium pacer Stuart Clark.
"They're really enthusiastic, really keen and it makes the guys like Hadds (Brad Haddin) and myself who are probably a little bit tired from the cricket we've played freshen up straight away when you've got some new faces around," Clarke said.
Symonds, who (like South African Herschelle Gibbs) has recently undergone a rehabilitation programme for an alcoholic problem, is expected to be included in the squad for tonight's match.
"Everyone knows he's a wonderful player when he's playing his best cricket and it's probably a chance for him to repay the selectors for them showing plenty of faith in him," Clarke said.
The match will be the first on Dubai's spanking new 25,000-capacity Sport's City stadium.
Michael Clarke rates the facilities as good as any in the world, but the pitch, prepared on Pakistani dirt, is an unknown entity.
