Being two-down doesn't stop Australia skipper from dreaming before today's third Test at Old Trafford
Captain Michael Clarke has put the heat on Australia’s misfiring batsmen by reiterating his optimistic beliefu00a0his side can still win the Ashes this summer.
Michael Clarke at Old Trafford yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
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Australia have not recovered from a 2-0 Ashes deficit since 1936-37 when arguably the world’s finest ever batsman, Sir Donald Bradman, was the source of their inspiration.u00a0In the 76 years that have passed since, Australia’s batting stocks have hardly looked as bare as they do now - highlighted by the performances in the opening two Tests.
Teenage spinner Ashton Agar is the tourists’ leading run-scorer, while only Clarke and Shane Watson have passed 100 aggregate runs.u00a0Even more alarming is that paceman James Pattinson, ruled out of the series with a back injury has the highest batting average at 36.u00a0Australia could be reinforced by the return of controversial left-hander David Warner, after he hit 193 for Australia A during his exile to Africa last week, but Clarke is wary on pinning his faith on the return of one man.
Instead he believes his entire batting unit must step forward in Manchester if they are to kick-start a comeback he concedes is a laughable notion to most right now. “I honestly believe we can win this series,” Clarke said. “I know there’s a lot of people out there that will laugh at me saying that. But I wouldn't be here today if I thought this team wasn't good enough to have success.
The reality is our backs are against the wall.” Asked if Warner, who returned to the squad this week after being sent to the second-string tour as punishment for punching Joe Root at a Birmingham bar following the Champions Trophy defeat to England last month, he added: “I don’t think it’s about one individual player. I think it’s going to take the whole squad and definitely the whole 11 players who take the field for us to take the series.
“It’s about performances and standing up and being accountable for our own performances. Hopefully the batters can lead the way.u00a0“We’ve plenty of experience in that group of batters we have on this tour. We need to make sure we are scoring more runs than we have done so far.
“There are difficult times in your innings as a batsman. It is about respecting those periods and then when you get on top to play with that aggressive intent.”u00a0Warner is a player who would provide the type of on-field aggression Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann favour, while his near double-century against South Africa A marks him as one of the few players to have some form.
Clarke reckons that the opener has learned from the fall-out of the Root incident, meaning Australia could be ready to bring him back for a match in which anything but victory will end their bid to return the urn. “He’s got 190-odd runs under his belt which is obviously a positive considering our batters haven't made many runs so far on this tour,” the 32-year-old said.
“I think Davey at the time made it pretty clear that he was extremely apologetic for what occurred. He knows what the expectations are as an Australian cricketer. I am very confident that he has learnt from what happened in the past,” he added.
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