Clarke says 'no surprises' in Oz team for first Ashes Test due to 'no-brainer' selection

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has said that there will be no surprises in Australia's team for the first Ashes Test as the selection is a 'no-brainer' given that the players are in a good form.

Australia is due to announce on Tuesday a 13-man squad for the opening clash against England from November 21 and Clarke likes what he has seen so far in the recent one-day tour of India and Sheffield Shield games.

According to Sport24, Clarke, who launched his book 'The Ashes Diary' in Sydney, believes that his team is a good place as eleven out of the twelve players to be picked by the selectors are no-brainers for Test number one at the Gabba.

Stating that the majority pick themselves from the form they have displayed in all forms of the game, Clarke further said that individual players, who are in contention for the five-Test series, have stepped up and performed, adding that they have worked hard to attempt to reverse their 3-0 summer defeat and prevent their rivals from retaining the urn.

Clarke further said that the players have dome what he and coach Darren Lehmann have asked them to do- play state cricket, take wickets and score runs to be in the front of the selectors' minds.

Australia's position is in stark contrast to the Ashes tour of England earlier this year when their preparations were badly disrupted after coach Mickey Arthur was sacked just 18 days out from the first Test and opening batsman David Warner was suspended for ill discipline, the report added.