Clarke keeps focus on ODIs

Australia will on Friday embark on a five-match one-day international series many are portraying as a rehearsal for next year's Ashes.

Their captain Michael Clarke is hardly refuting the notion either that there is significant reconnaissance to be had, albeit in the shorter format, for a developing team which will carry the hopes of a nation this time next year.

"It's all about the one-day series for me and the Australian team," said Clarke, ahead of the series-opener at Lord's. "Obviously we've got a few guys who have never played international cricket in the UK, so it's a good opportunity for those guys to see the conditions. But our focus is 100% on these one-day matches."

Australia will not be under-estimating their opponents either.

"They're playing some really good cricket and they've had a lot of success in their own backyard, so we know it's going to be really tough cricket and we're going to have to be at our best to compete with them," he added.

"This is going to be a good test against a very good English one-day team with a lot of confidence under their belt.

"Our goal as an Australian cricket team is to be number one in the world in all three forms."