News Sports Cricket Better-Prepared Australia Has The Edge, Say Clarke

Better-Prepared Australia Has The Edge, Say Clarke

Cape Town, Nov 7: Australia captain Michael Clarke has described his team's preparations for the first test against South Africa as “outstanding” and says the tourists have an important early edge in the two-match series.Unusually,

better prepared australia has the edge say clarke better prepared australia has the edge say clarke

Cape Town, Nov 7: Australia captain Michael Clarke has described his team's preparations for the first test against South Africa as “outstanding” and says the tourists have an important early edge in the two-match series.

Unusually, his opposite number agrees.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith concedes his men have not played enough in the run-in to the series-opener at Newlands, and says “if we're fair, Australia are better prepared than us. That's the reality.”

Smith's words on the eve of the first test in Cape Town on Tuesday were welcomed later by Clarke, who said “it was great to hear.”

Clarke adds “that's a real tick in that first box for us that I know we're 100 percent ready.”

Australia is seeking a fifth straight test series win in South Africa.