‘We are not in the business of targeting the Aussies’ says Strauss

PERTH - England skipper Andrew Strauss has said that his team won’t target Australia’s under-pressure players this summer despite labelling the upcoming Ashes series a war.

“I don’t know what his (Ponting’s) state of mind is but one thing I do know is we’re not in the business of targeting opposition players,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying soon after the Poms landed in Perth.

“My past experience is that if you say too much about opposition teams, it can come back and haunt you. We expect Australia to be very strong. Their record here is very good,” he added.

Strauss’ comments were in stark contrast to the ones made several days earlier, when he ordered his troops not to be friendly with the Australians and declared both sides would be at war during the five Tests.

Australia also fired a pre-Ashes shot when photos of Ponting and Michael Clarke were projected on London’s iconic Big Ben clock, with the accompanying slogan reading “Don’t forget to pack the urn”.

It seems the clever marketing gimmick had little effect on the English.

“I was only made aware of it in the press conference. I don’t kind of stay awake at night looking at Big Ben,” Strauss laughed.

Strauss said England were mentally and physical ready for battle. (ANI)