England didn’t ’specifically target’ Ponting, Clarke: Strauss

SYDNEY - England captain Andrew Strauss has said that his team had not specifically targeted Australian captain Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke in the ongoing Ashes series.

Cutting down the opposition’s captains had been one of the strategies of both teams in previous battles.

“Clearly, Ponting and Clarke are Australia’s best players, their records suggest that, so it was crucial, definitely, [to stop them],” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

“We didn’t target them specifically, but we thought our game plans against them were pretty good and we certainly saw signs in England that our game plan could work against them,” he added.

The 33-year-old believes that the Australia team was also lacking confidence following their 2-0 Test series defeat against India in October.

“In a way we were fortunate that we turned up here and Australia was maybe lacking a little in confidence, having lost in India, and confidence is a huge thing in cricket,” Strauss said.

“No matter how good you are, how many Tests you have played or what your average is, if you are down on confidence, it is going to be hard work,” he added.

Strauss was one of six current players who experienced the 5-0 whitewash in Australia four years ago. (ANI)