AUSTRALIAN vice-captain Michael Clarke believes the side which turns out at New Road tomorrow (11am) will give a good indication of the team that will play in the first Ashes Test.

The Baggy Greens face England Lions in a four-day clash at Worcestershire’s headquarters in the final warm-up match before the start of the Ashes in Cardiff next week.

The touring Australians played Sussex last week in a three-day match with their top order getting some valuable time in the middle.

But the game at New Road is likely to give Ricky Ponting’s men a much sterner test.

“I don’t know what team we are going to play, but I would imagine that whatever side is selected will be getting close to what our team is going to be for the first Test,” said Clarked.

The New Road wickets this summer have tended to favour the batsmen more than in previous years.

Yet the Aussies have a potential spy in the camp at Worcestershire in all-rounder Ashley Noffke, the County’s overseas player.

“I haven’t spoken to Noffers about how the pitch will play, but I guess we will find out soon,” Clarke said. “I have been told it looks pretty good, although I haven’t seen it myself.”

The Australian vice-captain feels that, despite the hot and humid weather in recent days, the conditions are still a lot different from how they are Down Under.

“The pitches are much slower but all the boys are really enjoying our time here,” added Clarke.