Clarke owns up responsibility for Australia’s 2-0 whitewash in India

SYDNEY - Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke, who made 35 runs in four Test innings in India, has spent so little time on the pitch on this tour that he id not certain about his form.

“It’s hard, I don’t even know if I’m hitting the ball well or not hitting it well because I didn’t spend enough time out there,” Clarke said in Kochi on Saturday.

“I guess for me I’ve always said my preparation is the most important thing to me having success and I thought I’ve done all the training and I’ll continue to do that. It’s just a part of the game that sometimes you have that lean run, and the key for me is to keep that as short as possible,” he said.

“I know one-day cricket is a different form of the game, but the sooner I can get out there and score some runs the better leading up to what we have in Australia (against England),” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

“But I was really disappointed, especially not winning either Test match as well, I take a lot of responsibility there, if I’d scored some runs, especially in both second innings we might’ve won those Tests,” Clarke said.

At the end of the Test series, Clarke was caught between his captain Ricky Ponting and his close friend Shane Warne’s criticism of tactics.

“I’m certain Punter and Warney are fine, and I think it’s all fine. Warney’s going to voice his opinion, he was an amazing player as well and someone I continue to learn so much from, and he’s entitled to his opinion,” he said.

“But I’m definitely going to support my captain, I think he’s done a great job and will continue to do a great job as Australian captain for a long time,” Clarke added. (ANI)