Australian skipper Michael Clarke is confident his former vice-captain Shane Watson will be fit and ready to provide bowling options during the Ashes.

Cricket Australia and the Commonwealth Bank have today announced a renewal of their long-standing partnership, with Commonwealth Bank set to become the Test team and Test Series partner for the next four Australian seasons, beginning with this summer’s Commonwealth Bank Ashes Series in Australia.

Australian ODI player of the year Clint McKay says he is anticipating a strong showing from his side in the ICC Champions Trophy in England this June.

Test vice-captain Brad Haddin says gathering at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Brisbane gives the Australian squad a chance to build team spirit as well as work on technical aspects of their game ahead of the Ashes.

Cricket Australia (CA) advises that fast bowler Pat Cummins will travel with the Australia A squad on the VB Tour of the British Isles as part of his ongoing rehabilitation program.

Many of Australia’s top cricketers are putting the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (COE) and the Queensland sunshine to good use this month, spending every Monday and Tuesday at the high performance centre preparing for the Champions Trophy, VB Tour of the British Isles and the VB Tour of England.