Aussies not lost public's respect despite acrimony

Melbourne, May 8 (UNI) Following the acrimony of India's tour last summer, Australian cricketers have not lost the public's respect while the country's newly appointed vice-captain Michael Clarke said he was ''feeling great'' after having a break.

Cricket Australia (CA) commissioned a suvey and found that 83 per cent of respondents view Ricky Ponting's team as good role models for children.

The bitter series produced stinging criticism of Australia's aggression.

However, the summer took enough of a toll on Clarke to convince him that he needed a total break.

''It was a big summer, a very competitive summer,'' Clarke said.

''And now I'm feeling great, I feel very fresh,'' he added.

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