Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who is enjoying the commentary stint with broadcasting giant Star Sports while hitting the gym revealed the visitors have had to play out of their skin in the remainder of the One-day internationals following the 0-3 drubbing against India.
The premium right-handed batsman Clarke put on the thinking cap to announce his best possible Playing XI for next two ODIs on September 28 and October 1 in Bengaluru and Nagpur respectively.
While having a huge experience on his back, Clarke reiterated the struggling side needs to go out with a positive mindset – to fetch the desired results against a side which has been already playing a quality cricket owing to the all-round efforts from the players.
“Australia’s intensity and attitude needs to change… they need to get an impressive approach for the whole one-hundred overs,” Clarke said in his video interview for Viktre which has been transcribed by Sportzwiki.
Pertinently, the Virat Kohli-led India has outplayed Steven Smith’s side in all departments, in the first three matches, as the hosts sealed the series by 3-0.
“Get out there put your balls on the line – go a hundred miles an hour and take it to India. That’s how this Australian one-day team plays their best cricket,” Clarke added.
The then batting mainstay and World Cup-winning skipper Clarke played 245 ODIs while donning Australian colours stated the visiting side need to learn from the failures and settle on to perform when there is little on an offer for the experiment.
“Get rid of the feeling of being scared to fail or being scared to lose,” Clarke maintained.
The 36-year-old New South Wales-born Clarke took to the micro-blogging website Twitter to announce his selection for Australia, in a bid to salvage some pride after humiliating series loss.
“Selectors cap on. My opinion on Australia’s 11 for the next 2 games,” Clarke tweeted with the video link which has been uploaded on Viktre.
Selectors cap on. My opinion on Australia's 11 for the next 2 games. https://t.co/kGvU2iLlSP
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 27, 2017
(Read Also: Aaron Finch Admits India is a Strong Unit than Australia in Limited-Overs Cricket)
In his video capsule, Clarke remarked he was surprised when leg-spinner was not picked for the Indore game, as he believes the inclusion of the wrist spinner would play a crucial role.
Pertinently, the 23-year-old Melbourne-born left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar flew home while nursing the webbing-split during fielding in the third ODI on September 24.
Ahead of the fourth ODI, terms opening batsman was ‘fantastic’ after making a comeback while recovering from calf injury. Clarke urged David Warner to play his natural game, in a bid to give a decent start to Australia.
“I want to [see] that impressive David Warner with both bat and in the field. I want to see him in the game. I want to see that aggressive Warner that everybody knows — to come out and really set the tone for Australia.
Interestingly, Clarke wants all-rounder Glenn Maxwell at the No. three position while referring it as a ‘big change’.
“To me he has got two [big] games. In these two games, [he has] to stand up and get a really big score for Australia. Put pressure on and let him know you’re batting at No. three, you need a big score (not talking about a hundred,” Clarke asserted.
After the middle-order failure worried the Australian side, Clarke feels the best against spin Steve Smith can ‘adapt’ and ‘rotate’ the strike alongside other batsmen down the order.
Clarke also feels promising bowling all-rounder James Faulkner should be included in the side alongside regular gloveman Matthew Wade while pointing out him as the ‘specialist.
Clarke believes Marcus Stoinis has ‘improved’ and shown his capability while playing according to his strength during the ongoing series in the subcontinent, adding the all-rounder should bat at No. 6, before wicket-keeper batsman Wade.
Coming to the conclusion, Clarke admitted the fact that he is eagerly waiting to his national side leaving an impact in the remainder of the ODIs.
“I wish the boys all the best. I can’t wait to see an Australian victory,” Clarke concludes in his 2-minute 44-second video.
Here’s Michael Clarke’s Playing XI for Bengaluru and Nagpur ODIs: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa.