Clarke confident that team is 'in a good place' despite 2009 Lord's experience

Australian captain Michael Clarke has insisted that his side is in a 'really good place', saying that his men have learnt from the 2009 Ashes experience at Lord's, ahead of the second Ashes Test at the iconic cricket ground.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the events of four years ago, when Australia was overawed at Lord's, will figure much more prominently in the tourists' preparations for the second Test than the allegations of in-fighting contained in sacked coach Mickey Arthur's court documents.

More immediate in Clarke's mind is the need to bounce back from a close, demoralising defeat at Trent Bridge and level the series at Lord's, which was a fortress for the Australians until their most recent battle against England at the famous ground.

However, Clarke, who averages 50 at Lord's, has assured that his side would not repeat the 2009 experience at Lord's, saying that he is confident of the stock as he has seen the work that they have been putting in at training, adding that he is mentally aware that his team is ready to go.

Stating that Lord's is a magnificent ground with a lot of history, Clarke said that he believes that the Australian players are all 'in a really good place' as they have not been for a very long time, although he added that he will be over the Trent Bridge defeat if his side wins the second Test at Lord's.

Past legends Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh, never beaten at Lord's, have been drafted into the dressing room to impart some wisdom, the report added.