Clarke defends Oz team's achievement inspite of loss to England

Sydney, May 20 (ANI): Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke, who was disappointed to lose in the final against England, has said the Australian team has made great strides in the Caribbean despite failing to lift the trophy.

"It was a wonderful achievement from the Australian Twenty20 team (to make the final)," he said.

"I thought we played fantastic cricket through the whole tournament, very exciting cricket," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

"I think the semi-final against Pakistan was one of the greatest games of all our careers and one we'll remember forever," he said.

Clarke was doubtful about the impact that the result might have on next summer's Ashes series.

"Obviously disappointed to lose the final but I think we've shown in this form of the game that we continue to improve," he said.

"It hurts losing to England in any form of the game but there's a lot of guys in both teams that won't take part in the Ashes series," Clarke added. (ANI)