Clarke vows to have last laugh

Michael Clarke vowed to have the last laugh on all those who mocked his suggestion Australia could still win the Ashes after a crushing defeat at Lord’s left them 2-0 down in the five-match series. ‘I’m still confident we can win this series. I know a lot of people laughed when I said that (at the presentation ceremony), and rightly so with the position we are in right now, but all of our top order have made a fifty and we need someone who can go on and make a big hundred, as England have done.

‘We need to perform better to win this third Test but we have time to prepare,’ added Clarke. Australia will now play a three-day tour match against Sussex starting Friday.