Australia captain Michael Clarke came to the defence of his embattled selectors yesterday, saying they weren't picking a side for a "charity tour" as the tourists looked to salvage a consolation win in the final match of their disappointing Ashes series in England.
Clarke’s men head into the final Test at The Oval starting today 3-0 down in the five-match series and having failed to win any of their last eight Tests. No Australia side have yet lost four Ashes Tests in England and none have lost the urn anywhere 4-0.
Australia captain Michael Clarke
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Recently, former captain Steve Waugh, who didn’t score a hundred until his 26th Test before becoming one of the leading batsmen of his era, urged the selectors to adopt a ‘pick and stick’ approach.
But Clarke said the top order weren’t making life easy for a selection panel headed by former Australia batsman John Inverarity and including wicketkeeping great Rodney Marsh.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk back home about consistency of selection but the selectors are trying to do everything in their power to help us win and if guys aren’t performing, unfortunately you can’t select them,” Clarke.
“We’re trying, or the selectors, I guess, are trying to be as consistent as they can but we’re also here to win the game.u00a0“This is not a charity tour. It’s not about giving blokes a go and hoping for the best,” said Clarke.
“All the selectors can do is pick what they feel is the best XI but it’s up to us as players to do our job and unfortunately our batting has let us down throughout the series so far.u00a0“But, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, we’ve got blokes with the talent there that can do it.”u00a0
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