Clarke's burning ambition to avenge Oz team's Ashes 2005 defeat

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Melbourne, May 10 (ANI): Australia's captain-in-waiting Michael Clarke expressed his burning ambition to avenge team's Ashes defeat to England in 2005, and added that troubled all rounder Andrew Symonds would be welcomed on the Ashes tour if his form warranted selection.

In 2007, Australia swept England aside 5-0, putting the nightmare of the 2005 Ashes tour behind them. But according to Clarke, the memory of losing on English soil still nags away.

"The Ashes is a massive series and I know we can't afford to look past the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, but it's going to be a wonderful series," The Daily Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"It's a huge tour and something as a kid you always look forward to. I think from 2007, I've got some really fond memories and what I would like to do is play as well as we did in Australia over in English conditions.

"It doesn't matter which team you play, it's always harder in their home conditions. They're going to be tough. It was real tough in 2005 and I think a lot of the guys have memories of that," he added.

The stand-in skipper at the time, Clarke was involved in the decision to send Symonds home after he went fishing instead of attending a team, said: "He was great to have back around the group in Dubai recently."

"Obviously his batting form wasn't as good as what he would've liked, but he brings more to the table than just batting. Having him around the group is a very positive thing for Australian cricket," Clarke added. (ANI)