Clarke says 'worried' about team's ODI performance more than captaincy

Australian captain Michael Clarke has insisted that he is more worried about how his team will perform in the ODI series against England rather than how it will reflect on him individually as a captain.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, while Australia's 3-0 Ashes series loss was attributed by most to batting woes rather than Clarke's leadership, he has also come under criticism with Test legend Matthew Hayden saying that Clarke needed to take more responsibility and questioning whether he had been thrust into the role while too young.

Although Clarke accepted that his captaincy is under scrutiny following Australia's failed Ashes campaign, he however, said that his motivations for the one-day series against England are team-driven rather than worrying about how it reflects on him individually.

Clarke also said that he and his team are trying to move forward and improve in the ODI format to get back to being the number one one-day team in the world for which he added that it is important that they win the series against England.

Stating that he is not bothered by critics of him or the team, Clarke further said that he does not need reminding of the challenges ahead, adding that he is doing everything in his power to turn around their devastating Ashes loss

While the Australians are fifth in the Test rankings they remain a power in the 50-over game, ranked second behind India, the report added.