Thaindian News

Kochi, Oct.16 (ANI): Australian captain Michael Clarke said here on Saturday, that the team is improving well, and hoped to peak by summer.

Clarke praised master blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s outstanding performances, adding that he hoped to see his team peaking by summer.

“We all love Sachin Tendulkar and we think that he is an amazing player. He has done amazing things for the game of Cricket is unbelievable I think he is a great ambassador for the game,” said Clarke.

“I think all Australians should continue to support the great game of Cricket… We all trying our best as players and we are continuing to improve as team and hopefully we will do it this summer,” he added.

Clarke said he was disappointed over the recent report of Australians vandalizing the Commonwealth Games village after the Australia lost to India by 2-0 in the test series.

“It is very disappointing obviously we have no control over what other people are doing around the world. But as Australians we love to see good cricket,” said Clarke.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said senior players were rested for the ODI matches due to injuries.

“Most of the players they have some kind of injury or niggle so you have to be safe at the same time because we have been playing quite a fair amount of Cricket over the last year if you see, it is a jam packed schedule and till the World Cup we will be playing the same amount of Cricket which means it is better off to rest players if they have small niggles before they turn into injuries so that is also one of the reasons,” said Dhoni.

“At the same time you know resting some of the players, who have scored a lot or bowled a lot they also helps in keep fresh for the tournament and what really happens that it gives you the opportunity to test your bench strength you know the youngsters will get a chance to have a look at International cricket, they may try to cement their place in the team,” he added.

India has rested master batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, opener Virender Sehwag, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, fast bowler Zaheeer Khan and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for the ODI matches.

Australia named a weakened one-day squad including regular captain Ricky Ponting, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson have been rested.

The second and third ODI matches will be played in Visakhapatnam and Goa on October 20 and October 24, respectively. (ANI)