England ODI series struggles won't hamper Australia's Ashes chances: North

Sydney, June 29(ANI): Australian batsman Marcus North reckons that his team's struggles against England in the current ODI series would not have a carry-over effect heading into the Ashes later this year.

The Australian batsmen's failure to notch up big scores has gifted England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

"Look, each series is its own series. I wouldn't think we would read too much into the one-day series leading into (July's two Tests against) Pakistan or the Ashes later this year," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted North, as saying.

"Australia have come across an England side that's been playing a lot of cricket and probably playing the best one-day cricket they've played for a while. They've got a lot of confidence and we've come in not playing a lot of cricket after a bit of a break."

"We've got some exciting young players getting an opportunity through injury and what not. We're not too far away. We weren't too far away from winning the other night and I'm sure the guys will look to change that over the final two one-day games," he added.

North will join the Test team in England this week to prepare for the two-Test series against Pakistan, starting at Lord's on July 13. (ANI)