England host Australia this summer before the teams meet down under later in the year.
“One bad tour doesn’t define a squad and I’m confident we can take the fight to England,” said Clarke, who is currently recovering from injury.
The first Test against England, who triumphed 2-1 in India before Christmas, starts on July 10 at Trent Bridge.
England, who have won the last two Ashes series, sit second in the International Cricket Council rankings while Australia slipped one place to fourth with defeat in India.
Clarke (31) added: “All of us understand our performances over the last four Tests were not acceptable.
“That said, we are only a couple of months removed from advancing to within one Test match of taking the number one ranking from South Africa.
“That suggests all is not lost and talk of us being the worst Australian team in history is a bit harsh.”
Clarke celebrated the second anniversary of his appointment as Australia Test captain with a night in hospital suffering from gastroenteritis at the weekend.
Last week, he was ruled out for 10 weeks with the hamstring and lower back injuries which prevented him playing in the final Test in India, but he is expected to be fit to face England.
“Everyone in Australian cricket knows how much the Ashes means to the country and we will do everything within our power to turn the ship around after our disappointing tour of India,” he said.
“The players know how big the next 12 months are and it is still our aim to win back the urn and make Australia proud.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has told police that he has no recollection of being attacked outside a bar.
Ryder (28) was put in a medically-induced coma after being attacked twice in quick succession as he left the bar in Christchurch last Thursday.
He is now out of the coma and intensive care, but has been unable to help police with their investigation.
Ryder told police his last memory was being dismissed in a match on Wednesday.
Two people have been charged with assault and are due in court later this week.
“Unfortunately Mr Ryder has no recollection of what took place or the events leading up to the incident,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said.
“Should Mr Ryder gain sufficient recollection as his recovery continues, then we may look to speak to him again. However there are no immediate plans to re-interview him at this time.”
The cricketer had been in Christchurch with teammates after playing for Wellington Firebirds in a domestic one-day competition. He had been due to fly to Delhi to begin a US$300 000 contract in the Indian Premier League.
His manager, Aaron Klee, said it was not known when his client would be discharged from hospital.
“He’s absolutely talking, sitting there having conversations and he’s up on his feet,” Klee said. “It’s nice to see the big guy back on his feet again.”
Ryder stopped playing international cricket for New Zealand in February last year after a series of alcohol-related problems.
He had also had disciplinary lapses.
But police said while he had been drinking before the assault on Thursday morning, alcohol was not a factor.
The suspects charged with assaulting him, aged 20 and 37, are due to appear before Christchurch District Court today. — BBC Sport.



