Intro:

Australia captain Michael Clarke looks ahead to the first Ashes Test match against England at Cardiff.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Clarke, Australia captain (on sledging): 

"I think we have a brand of cricket that we play our, that if we play that way we play our best and I think, the way we've been brought up is to play tough, competitive cricket on the field. But I certainly understand and respect, the rules and regulations and where that line sits. I've made it very clear that in the last (Ashes) series, if somebody overstepped that mark it was me, and as captain of this time I need to be more disciplined, and I know I will be. So, yes, I think the mutual respect is certainly there. It always has been from my point of view. Certainly with the England cricket team. I think they've got a lot of experience, they've got some fantastic players, and they deserve that respect. So, I think the cricket will be tough on the field, but I think we'll certainly know that there's a line that you can't overstep.

"I think this team is, has faced plenty of challenges, and we know how hard this series is going to be. No coincidence we haven't won here since 2001. Beating England in their own backyard is extremely tough. We're excited by the challenge, but we know it's going to be a tough five-match series."