Australia Skipper Michael Clarke Eyes Ashes After Thrashing West Indies

Australia will expect England to compete better than the West Indies when Michael Clarke's team travels to the UK for the upcoming Ashes series. West Indies barely challenged Australia in a two-Test series and Clarke says it was time to focus on the series in England. (How Australia decimated hapless West Indies)

Clarke is very much aware that Australia have not won an Ashes series in England since 2001 but considering their current form, this is will be the best time to break that drought. The first Ashes Test begins in Cardiff on July 8.

"I'd be lying to say it hasn't been in the back of everyone's mind, but the fact we've been really disciplined on playing really good cricket in these conditions against this West Indies team is a really good achievement from the boys.

"But we're all excited about what lies ahead. I've spoken a lot about consistency away from home, I just hope this is the start of it," said Clarke in Sabina Park after completing the 2-0 Test sweep against a hapless Caribbean unit. (Also read: Steve Smith has the right credentials to bring down England)

Much of Australia's hopes will center around Steve Smith, whose batting form has seen him climbing the ICC batting rankings rapidly. But credit for the West Indies success will go to the bowlers for consistently taking wickets on sluggish wickets.

"Confidence is a vital part of any team and any squad. You have to earn that though," Clarke added.

"It takes a lot of hard work to feel you can walk out onto a ground in an international game and have success and once you get it you want it to stay forever. So you've got to ride that wave for as long as you can.

"You've got to accept in this game that there are going to be tough times.

"But what we've got at the moment is if guys aren't bowling as well as they'd like or making as many runs as they'd like, somebody else is stepping up and I think that's where we're having success."

(With inputs from Reuters)