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Thursday, March 21, 2013

We will look to sign off with a win: Clarke

clarke
New Delhi: The prospect of suffering a rare series whitewash is looming large but Australia skipper Michael Clarke on Thursday said they would do everything to sign off what has so far been a disastrous tour, with a win in the fourth and final Test against India, starting on Friday.

"We will look to sign off with a win. If we play to our potential, if we play our best cricket, I have no doubt that we can win this Test match. We will look to get a result in our favour," Clarke told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

"We know the conditions well, we know the opposition and we know the areas where we need to improve. So, we would like to leave home winning the last Test," he added.

Having already lost the four-match series 0-3, Aussies have a last chance to salvage some pride, and Clarke said it's time that his players show some stomach for fight.

"Every single player has learnt from this tour. It's been a learning curve for all our players who haven't toured India (before). It's been a challenging tour.


"Guys are trying their best to get results. Efforts have been there but things are not turning up in our favour. We need to play some good cricket to get the result in our favour. It would be about scoring as many runs as we can," insisted Clarke.

Meanwhile, the skipper preferred to keep the cards close to his chest, refusing to disclose the playing XI.

Vice-captain Shane Watson, pacers James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson, and batsman Usman Khawaja, who were sacked from the team ahead of third Test in Mohali for not complying with team orders, are now available for selection.

"We would announce the playing XI tomorrow," said Clarke.

"Shane is a good player. He is someone we always love to have in our team. So, hopefully he can perform well and help us win the last Test. Johnson is bowling well in the nets, he is bowling really fast. I know how much he loves the opportunity to bowl in the Test," Clarke said.

"It all depends on what is best for the team. We need to get the combination right. It's about winning the Test here and heading back home with a win under our belt," he added.

Australia had earlier faced 0-4 whitewash against South Africa in 1969-70 and 0-3 versus Pakistan in 1984.

If the hosts manage to emerge victorious in the fourth match here, it will be the first time India would win four consecutive Tests in a series.

Asked about the Kotla strip, which has the distinction of assisting the slow bowlers, Clarke said he needs to look at the wicket first.

"I haven't seen the wicket today. I need to look at it first. We need to check what it has to offer. Conditions have been quite conducive to spin bowling here in India. Our spin bowlers continue to get better with every passing Test."

The 31-year-old Clarke said injured Matthew Wade will remain his preferred choice as wicketkeeper if he makes himself available for selection.

Wade had sprained his right ankle while playing basketball before the third Test and Brad Haddin had to be called in as his replacement.

"We play only one wicketkeeper in the team. Obviously, they both can bat well. If Wade is fit, I am pretty sure he will be our preferred choice for this Test. We will see how he shapes up in today's practice session and then we will take a call on him," said Clarke.

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