London – Australia coach Mickey Arthur has promised an aggressive approach from his side when they face England in their upcoming one-day international series.
Australia have arrived in England for five one-dayers against their oldest foes which will serve as something of a scene-setter for next year's tour where they will look to regain the Ashes.
But while England may be the world's top-ranked Test side, Australia are the number ones in the 50-over game – a position they will look to cement when, after a warm-up against Leicestershire and this weekend's clash against Ireland in Belfast, they face England in the first one-dayer at Lord's on June 29.
“We are world number ones and we aim to come out and play a really good, exciting and sustainable brand of cricket,” Arthur told Sky Sports in Leicester on Monday.
“We have an exciting team. We have some real firepower in our attack and we're looking forward to a good, interesting series,” the South African added.
“England are playing really well. I watched them the other day and they played some good cricket. They are tough in their own conditions.
“We're a changing team and the aim for us is to stay number one while we keep evolving as a side. That's a challenge in itself.”
Arthur said this tour would give some of Australia's rising stars, who could well feature in the 2013 Ashes, valuable experience of English conditions.
“This is purely about winning a one-day series, but it does allow us to give the likes of Pat Cummins and James Pattinson opportunities in conditions they will be facing for three and a half months next year,” he said.
“We're now blessed with a really good array of fast bowlers. We can pick any one of eight without weakening our side.
“There will be injuries and it would be naive to think otherwise.
“I believe the Ashes next year will evolve around which team has the fittest attack and can keep that attack on the park for five Test matches.”
England face the West Indies in the second of three one-day internationals at The Oval on Tuesday, having won last weekend's series opener in Southampton by 114 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method. – Sapa-AFP