Australia ready to attack
Coach Arthur insists his charges will go on the offensive
Australia coach Mickey Arthur insists his side will adopt an attacking approach during the forthcoming one-day series against England.
The old enemies resume hostilities at Lord's on June 29 as a five-match series that should whet the appetite for next summer's Ashes gets underway.
Australia arrive on these shores as the world's top-ranked one-day team and Arthur claims they are determined to retain that position.
"We are world number ones and we aim to come out and play a really good, exciting and sustainable brand of cricket," he told Sky Sports News.
"We have an exciting team. We have some real firepower in our attack and we're looking forward to a good, interesting series.
"England are playing really well. I watched them the other day and they played some good cricket. They are tough in their own conditions.
"We're a changing team and the aim for us is to stay number one while we keep evolving as a side. That's a challenge in itself."
Blooding new talent
Arthur has acknowledged that the Ashes are on Australia's radar and intends to expose some of the team's newer arrivals to English conditions in preparation for next summer.
"This is purely about winning a one-day series, but it does allow us to give the likes of Pat Cummins and James Pattinson opportunities in conditions they will be facing for three and a half months next year," he continued.
"We're now blessed with a really good array of fast bowlers. We can pick any one of eight without weakening our side.
"There will be injuries and it would be naive to think otherwise.
"I believe the Ashes next year will evolve around which team has the fittest
attack and can keep that attack on the park for five Test matches."
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