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Birmingham, August 1: Australia captain Michael Clarke called for an improved performance by his bowling attack and was even harder on himself after an eight-wicket defeat by England in the third Test at Edgbaston which left his side 1-2 down in the five-match Ashes
series.
“We had perfect bowling conditions. Overcast, a little bit of rain around and we just couldn’t hit the right areas consistently,” Clarke said after the match ended Friday. “The ball swung and seamed for the whole game. We had to be better than what we were,” he added ahead of next week’s fourth Test across the Midlands at Trent Bridge.
And while it would be harsh in the extreme to blame Australia’s bowlers for their defeat at Edgbaston – all attacks like having plenty of runs on the board – Clarke challenged them to maintain the standard they had set at Lord’s in the second Test of the series.
“I don’t think we executed as well as we did at Lord’s, certainly not in the first innings,” Clarke pointed out. “It is a tough one because you see both sides, you see the way we bowled here and Cardiff, wasn’t good enough. You see the way we bowled at Lord’s and that was as good as any attack you will see in world cricket.”
However, the skipper also blamed himself and said Australia’s middle-order woes were down to his poor form with the bat and vowed to get among the runs. Clarke, dismissed twice by Steven Finn at Edgbaston, is averaging just under 19 for the series.
“The captain is due to get off the plane, that’s the plan for the next Test match,” Clarke asserted. “I can’t put my finger on it. It’s always about my preparation. If I do the hard work, that gives me the self-belief. England have bowled well at me and got me out early.”
Australia’s top three of Chris Rogers, the leading scorer in the series on either side, David Warner and Steve Smith have made sizeable contributions all throughout the games.
But Clarke’s indifferent form has been matched by Adam Voges at five who has averaged just 14.6 in the tour. “If you bat at four you have to lead the way in scoring runs and if I do, then I know Vogesy will follow,” said Clarke, who could drop down to bat at five where he has garnered most success in his Test
career, when they meet England in the fourth Test.
“My self-belief is still there. The stats show I’ve performed better at five than four. It’s about what’s best for the team. I need to turn my form around because at the moment we are playing with 10 players. That shouldn’t happen. As of now I am like a burden to the side. I need to contribute on a regular basis,” the Aussie skipper added.
