Cricket: Australians get gear pinched

Thieves have disturbed Australia's preparation for tomorrow's Twenty20 cricket clash against England by stealing five of Michael Clarke's bats and team uniforms belonging to fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz.

Australia's bus driver realised yesterday one of big equipment bags the players use to carry all their gear - dubbed "coffins" - was missing before the team left Leicester after beating county side Leicestershire.

If he plays against England tomorrow at the Rose Bowl, Clarke will use borrowed gear as he is without five bats, a pair of yellow batting pads, seven pairs of gloves, a thigh pad, three pairs of spiked boots, two pairs of runners and even his protector.

Clarke will also have to wear a shirt with a teammate's name on the back, as his playing gear was also stolen.

Kasprowicz was left missing a bag containing seven playing shirts, two pairs of pants, five thermal skins he wears under his strip and some training gear.

The latest incident continued an annoying week for the big quick, who also had some cash stolen from his hotel room in Brighton a few days ago.

Police investigated that theft but were unable to retrieve Kasprowicz's money.

An Australian team spokeswoman said the gear belonging to Clarke and Kasprowicz was last seen as it was being brought down from the change rooms at Leicester's Grace Road ground.

The thefts were an unwanted distraction ahead of the Twenty20 clash, which is the first time this tour Australia plays England.

The match could be action-packed as Australia's Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds will have competition in the hitting stakes in the form of England sloggers Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Australia was keen to avenge its loss to the old enemy in last year's Champions Trophy semi-final at Edgbaston, and although this is an abbreviated game his side would go hard at England.

"Well that's the nature of the game isn't it?," he said.

"You try and get out there and get whatever you can out of every game that you can play.

"So we'll just go out there and hopefully execute our skills really well and if we do that it should be a good game of cricket."

Australia intends on playing a strong side, while England today confirmed fast bowler Steve Harmison had overcome an ankle injury and was available to play.

- AAP