Australia captain Ricky Ponting admits he feels more excited than nervous in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test in Brisbane today.
He has been attempting to shield his players from overexposure as the off-field hype hits fever pitch.
Ponting said he gave the Australians his final rally cry yesterday morning after an optional net session at the Gabba but was wary of adding to the intense pressure already in evidence.
The build-up to the series has been a hot topic virtually since England won the Ashes last September with media talk and fan interest at an all-time high.
"The mood around the camp has been really good," said Ponting. "There is a bit of excitement there but I don't think we have got carried away with it."
"We've tried to keep away from it a little bit and just go about our work and our business.
"If you get too excited you're going to go into the game tired tomorrow anyway. You'll wear yourself out from the preparation and hype over the last couple of days.
"I think it's pretty important that we keep a bit a lid on that and not get too carried away with things and try and make things happen too quickly in the game."
Ponting said there was no danger incoming No 6 Michael Clarke, the eleventh hour replacement for the injured Shane Watson, would start the vital campaign underdone.
Clarke has been preparing in Watson's shadow in exactly the same way as if he had been selected in the original 13-man squad although Ponting was conscious of steadying the 25-year-old after a recent lean spell at international level.
Clarke has notched scores of 39, 5, 5, 14 not out, 5, 19, 9 and 23 not out in his five Tests since the previous Ashes campaign in England.
"I will have a chat with but I'm not going try and impose myself on him at all," said Ponting.
"He's an extremely hard-worker. He's worked harder on his game than I've probably seen anyone that's been out of the side work for a long time."
"During the break he trained at 7am every morning right through that four-month period. He's worked extremely hard on his technique and his body."
"He's given himself every chance and he's ready to get out there and perform at Test level."
Clarke might even be asked to pitch in with sharing the bowling burden after Watson's withdrawal left Australia with just four frontline bowlers.
"There's going to have to be a lot of hard work done by some of them along the way," said Ponting of the quartet which will include either Stuart Clark or Mitchell Johnson after Shaun Tait was released from the party.
"It might be that I have to bowl a few overs or Huss (Mike Hussey) has to bowl a few overs, or Michael Clarke."
"We've got some good part-timers there that can do a job for us if needed. But hopefully we don’t need it."
