Obviously didn’t show enough discipline, says Clarke

MELBOURNE - Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke slammed the performance of his side after they were bowled out for a paltry 98 runs in the first innings of the fourth Ashes Test against England here Sunday.

“Our shot selection wasn’t great, no doubt. I think all of our wickets were caught behind the wicket, so there was enough in the wicket there. But we certainly have no excuses, we played some poor shots, we obviously didn’t show enough discipline, as we’ve seen the sun’s coming out, dried the wicket out, it’s a really nice wicket to bat on now,” Clarke was quoted as saying by The Age.

Clarke hoped that Australia would make amends in the second innings, but England made life difficult for the hosts as they ended second day at 444 for five with Johanthon Trott scoring an unbeaten 141.

Clarke said: “The positive is we get another bat, so we get another opportunity. After lunch, after the rain, it was still overcast and the ball was swinging a little bit but we have no excuses, we played some bad shots, whether that be before lunch or after lunch unfortunately.”

On the mood in the dressing room, Clarke said: “Have a guess we’re all disappointed, no doubt. I think the batters especially, we knew it was going to be tough but we knew we could have done better. Individually we’re all disappointed, and the bowlers as well, they didn’t get a wicket. We’ve got to turn that around, we’ve got to look forward to tomorrow.”

“We know it’s going to be tough, we know it’s going to be a challenge, but we know we’re good enough.”