'In the 50-odd Tests I have played, we have never gone for a draw'

Australia intend to go all out for a win in the fifth Test against England starting at the Oval on Thursday rather than settle for the draw that would ensure they retain the Ashes.

"I've looked at the weather forecast and it looks okay," vice-captain Michael Clarke told a news conference on Tuesday.

"If the sun shines for five days we will have a wonderful test match. I know we will be out there chasing one result and that is a win."

Australia levelled the series 1-1 after inflicting a heavy innings defeat on England in the fourth test at Headingley.

A draw would be enough to keep the Ashes but the Australians are determined to atone for their 2-1 loss in the unforgettable 2005 Ashes encounter and return home with a series victory.

"In the 50-odd test matches I have played we have never gone for a draw and I'm pretty confident we won't be out there playing for a draw," Clarke said.

THE CLASS

"The one thing that this side has shown over the last 12 months is that we do have the class, we have the enthusiasm, we have the determination to be as successful as any team I have played in," Clarke said.

"Over a period of time we will see a lot of the players in this team become very, very good cricketers, if not great cricketers."

Clarke, 28, has been the outstanding batsman in the series with 445 runs at an average of 89.00 including two centuries and a 93.

He became the fourth Australian batsman to score a century in his 50th Test and his overall Test average is now a fraction over 50, the accepted benchmark of a great player.

"I think I'm improving as a player. I still feel personally there are certain things in my game I need to improve. I think that my shot selection will probably be one thing that over the last three or four years has probably improved," he said.

"But I certainly see areas that I'm working on and need to improve."