Australia captain Michael Clarke has conceded that he was "happy" to learn that Nick Compton had been excluded from the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series.

Thirty-year-old Compton scored two centuries earlier this year against New Zealand and produced decent knocks against the Aussies during recent warm-up fixtures, but the England selectors opted to pick youngster Joe Root ahead of him.

Reflecting on the decision, Clarke has revealed that he is pleased England will be without a "class" batsman.

"I'm happy Nick's not playing to be honest. He's got a bit of class and has good defence," Clarke told reporters. "We haven't bowled to Joe Root yet."

Root will go into the series against Australia with an average of 42.40 from his 11 innings.