Bring on the Aussies, says Strauss

London, May 19 (ANI): After handing out a 2-o series defeat to the West Indies, England cricket captain Andrew Straus is ready to take on the Australians in this summer's Ashes series.

"Each time I think about the Ashes, I remember what it was like in the past. It certainly gets the heart beating a little faster and the juices flowing. It's going to be a fantastic second half of the summer," The Sun quoted Strauss, as saying.

The next time the Three Lions take the field in a Test match will be for the Ashes opener at Cardiff on July 8.

Strauss, however, will try to prevent his side becoming engulfed by Ashes fever.

He said: "The reality is that, when we step out in Cardiff, this win means nothing. It will be back to square one.But the real positive to come out of this series is how clinical we've been.

We're in a good place. A couple of new players have settled in really well, there is a nice spirit, guys are enjoying each other's company and we're a pretty close-knit group."(ANI)