Michael Clarke refuses to blame DRS system for Australia's first Test defeat to England

By talkSPORT | Sunday, July 14, 2013

Australia captain Michael Clarke has refused to blame the Decision Review System, commonly known as DRS, for his side’s defeat in the first Test against England.

The consistency of the technology came under criticism during the Ashes opener at Trent Bridge with a number of decisions appearing to go against the Baggy Greens.

But Clarke claims the system was fair to both sides.

“I’m not happy with my use of DRS because we haven’t got many right,” he said. “Both teams use the DRS system and, in this game especially, England have used it better than I have. I need to keep working on that.

“It is consistent for both sides though and that’s all you can ask for.”

Australia came very close to causing a huge upset in the first Test, eventually falling 14 runs short of the required 311, and Clarke added that England were deserving winners.

“The boys can hold their heads high,” he said. “It was a wonderful game of cricket. Credit to England though, they fought really hard over the five days.

“The best two performers of the Test match were Ian Bell, who made a 100, and Jimmy Anderson, who took 'five-fers' in both innings. They deserved the win.”

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Clarke happy about Compton exclusion

Venue: Trent Bridge, NottinghamDate: 10-14 JulyStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices

Australia captain Michael Clarke said he was "happy" batsman Nick Compton was left out of the England squad for the first Ashes Test.

Compton, 30, who scored two Test tons in New Zealand this year and an 81 and 79 against Australia recently, was dropped in favour of Joe Root, who will open the batting with Alastair Cook.

Michael Clarke 'happy' about Nick Compton omission

"I'm happy Nick's not playing to be honest. He's got a bit of class and has good defence," said Clarke.

"We haven't bowled to Joe Root yet."

The Australia skipper was speaking at Trent Bridge on the eve of the first Test which begins at 11:00 BST.

Compton initially lost his place when he was replaced by Root as opener for the Ashes warm-up match against Essex.

The Durban-born batsman, grandson of the late England batsman Denis Compton, made his Test debut in India in November, scoring 208 runs in the four matches at an average of 34.

10-14 July: 1st Test, Trent Bridge

18-22: 2nd Test, Lord's

1-5 August: 3rd Test, Old Trafford

9-13: 4th Test, Chester-le-Street

21-25: 5th Test, The Oval

The Somerset player shone during the tour in New Zealand earlier this year but struggled in the home series against the same opposition in May, scoring just 39 runs in four innings.

Root, on the other hand, scored a match-winning 71 from 120 balls against New Zealand at Lord's in May and followed that up with his maiden Test hundred in the second Test at Headingly to put himself ahead of Compton in the thinking of the selectors.

The 22-year-old has been in excellent form since making his Test debut against India in December - averaging 42.40 from 11 Test innings.

"I think what has impressed everyone is that he's batted exceedingly well," said England captain Cook.

"He's managed to change his style and I can see no reason as to why he couldn't handle himself.

Alastair Cook's journey from Maldon to the Ashes

"He's a fantastic young player, he still has some room for improvement, but I think he will be absolutely fine."

England are odds-on favourites to win their third successive Ashes series, and Cook said there was a mixture of "excitement and nerves" among his players.

"Everyone is desperately excited to be here and we've pretty much arrived now," he added.

"There's some nerves floating around but there's excitement too. We have to remind ourselves just how lucky we are and you have to take yourself out of the moment and enjoy it."

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