Michael Clarke admitted on the eve of the final Test match of
Australia's doomed Ashes series that he has spent a long time thinking
about both where the tourists can improve and on his own position as
captain.
With England already 3-0 ahead and having sealed the series, the fifth Test starts on Wednesday at the Kia Oval with Australia looking to claw back some confidence ahead of the Ashes series Down Under later in the year.
Clarke, who announced Australia would hand a Test debut to all-rounder James Faulkner, revealed recent results have played on his mind but he still believes he can be a guiding light for a team that seems to be struggling to find any sort of consistency.
"I've thought long and hard about what has occurred in this series as you do when you are not performing as well as you would like personally and the team is not performing," he said.
"I did after the India tour [which ended in a 4-0 defeat] as well but it is another reason to get out of bed and go and train to be better.
"I feel my game has a lot of improvement left in it. I feel I can help the team have success and that is a big part of my role as a senior player in the team whether I am captain or not. But it is a tough challenge as a captain when you don't get the results you want. And it just inspires you to try and become better as a player and leader."
With back-to-back Ashes series and a number of shorter-format matches to come following the completion of the Oval Test, Clarke wants to see Australia close the gap on England and finish their ill-fated series with a win.
"Our goal hasn't changed," he added.
"Like I've said a number of times in my press conferences we are trying to win every Test that we play. This Test is no different.
"There are a number of reasons we need to have success in this Test match but the main reason is because every Test you play for Australia you want to win. We don't need any extra motivation than that.
"It (a win) would be a nice way to finish the Test side of the tour. We've got some t20s and one-dayers as well which are crucial for us. It would be a nice way to finish."
With England already 3-0 ahead and having sealed the series, the fifth Test starts on Wednesday at the Kia Oval with Australia looking to claw back some confidence ahead of the Ashes series Down Under later in the year.
Clarke, who announced Australia would hand a Test debut to all-rounder James Faulkner, revealed recent results have played on his mind but he still believes he can be a guiding light for a team that seems to be struggling to find any sort of consistency.
"I've thought long and hard about what has occurred in this series as you do when you are not performing as well as you would like personally and the team is not performing," he said.
"I did after the India tour [which ended in a 4-0 defeat] as well but it is another reason to get out of bed and go and train to be better.
"I feel my game has a lot of improvement left in it. I feel I can help the team have success and that is a big part of my role as a senior player in the team whether I am captain or not. But it is a tough challenge as a captain when you don't get the results you want. And it just inspires you to try and become better as a player and leader."
With back-to-back Ashes series and a number of shorter-format matches to come following the completion of the Oval Test, Clarke wants to see Australia close the gap on England and finish their ill-fated series with a win.
"Our goal hasn't changed," he added.
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| Clarke |
"Like I've said a number of times in my press conferences we are trying to win every Test that we play. This Test is no different.
"There are a number of reasons we need to have success in this Test match but the main reason is because every Test you play for Australia you want to win. We don't need any extra motivation than that.
"It (a win) would be a nice way to finish the Test side of the tour. We've got some t20s and one-dayers as well which are crucial for us. It would be a nice way to finish."
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