Clarke not worried about the past

Australian batsman Michael Clarke has shrugged off Marcus Trescothick's explosive claims that English bowlers used peppermint sweets to swing the ball in their 2005 Ashes triumph.

Trescothick, who retired earlier this year after battling a mental illness, revealed he shone the ball after sucking on breath fresheners.

It helped team-mates Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones deliver unplayable reverse swing and tamed Australia's top-order, including Clarke.

But the Australia vice-captain played a straight bat when told of Trescothick's admissions.

"At the end of the day it's the past. Marcus has written a book, hasn't he, so good luck with that. That's the past," Clarke said on Monday.

"Right now we are looking forward to the Bangladeshis in Darwin and our chance will come over the next 15 months to play against the Poms back in England."

"It actually doesn't bother me at all right now. We are looking forward, that's history."

Clarke denied Trescothick's baiting had Australia any hungrier to take down the old enemy on foreign soil.

"Not in my mind, not at all. I think we need to look right now at playing Bangladesh in Darwin and as far as I am going to look is India, the Test series coming up."

"I think we would be silly to look any further."

Clarke said the upcoming Top End series was a good chance for Australia's next crop of players to push their selection cases, particularly in the absence of captain Ricky Ponting, opener Matthew Hayden and speedster Brett Lee.

"I think it is an opportunity for guys in the one-day team to push for selection, whether it be the Test matches in India or the Australian summer," Clarke said.

"We have so much cricket coming up and unfortunately there are only 11 spots. They've picked 14 to go to Darwin so there are a few guys pushing very hard for selection there."

Lee, who is battling the breakdown of his marriage, has received the support of his team-mates, according to his fellow New South Welshman.

"Our 100 percent support in behind 'Binga'. Anytime he's ready to come back we are well and truly waiting for him," Clarke said.

"Obviously he's pretty busy at the moment, got a few things on his plate. He knows everybody is supporting him. We have all sent him a message wishing him well."