Australia retain same XI for 2nd Ashes Test

ADELAIDE: Michael Clarke wanted to forget the last Ashes Test played in Adelaide. England captain Alastair Cook would prefer to forget the last Ashes Test played in Australia.

Clarke declared himself fit and ready on Wednesday to lead an unchanged Australian lineup in the second test against England.

It´s the first time in 12 months, he´s had an unchanged lineup in back-to-back Tests, and comes in the wake of the 381-run demolition of England in Brisbane — Australia´s first win in 10 Tests.

The Australians considered adding allrounder James Faulkner at the expense of No. 6 batsman George Bailey to increase their bowling options, but Clarke said Shane Watson had fully recovered from a hamstring strain that restricted him to two overs in Brisbane and should offer enough backup for the frontline seamers and spinner Nathan Lyon.

The defeat at the Gabba last month was England´s first Test loss in a year that included a series win in India and a 3-0 Ashes win at home against Australia, and it has had dramatic after-effects.

Jonathan Trott quit the tour due to a stress-related illness, leaving a yawning gap at No. 3 and forcing changes in personnel and in the batting order.

The first Test of this series ended acrimoniously with rival players trading insults and Clarke was fined because he used an expletive during a heated exchange with England tailender Jimmy Anderson that was heard on the TV broadcast.

Cook´s team, aiming to be the first English squad since 1890 to win the urn four consecutive times, isn´t backing down in the "war" for the Ashes.

England will make enforced changes, with a new batsman coming in at No. 6, and either Joe Root or Ian Bell moving up the order.

Lineups:
Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon. 12th man: James Faulkner.

England (from): Alastair Cook (captain), Michael Carberry, Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson, Monty Panesar, Chris Tremlett, Jonny Bairstow, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin.
(AP)