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'In the first two Test matches, we've let each other down'
A livid Michael Clarke has lashed out at his team-mates for the manner in which they lost the first two Tests against India, saying "we have let each other down".
-Clarke to bat up the order in Mohali
-'There is no excuse for making 237 after winning toss'
The Australian captain said his players' performance in these two Test matches have been unacceptable and was nowhere near the standard set out by an Australian cricket team.
"I think in the first two Test matches, we've let each other down. That's the most disappointing thing for me. At stages, we've got out to let our partner down. We've bowled bad overs which let's your bowling partner down as well. We've dropped catches to let the bowlers down. As a team, we're letting each other down and that's the most disappointing thing," he said.
While acknowledging that his anger will not help, Clarke said that he was particularly concerned by the poor show of his top-order batsmen.'I am responsible for the batting failure as well'
"Our batting has been unacceptable in the first two Test matches. I'm more concerned about our first innings performances than our second innings, mainly because we won both the tosses and the wicket has been at its best both times to bat but 237 was unacceptable," he said.
The veteran of 91 Tests reckons that being angry at his players won't be of any help in improving the performance.
"I don't think me being angry is going to help. I am responsible as well. I'm no different to any other player. I should have scored more runs today. It's not segregated like that, it's us, we're all together. We all need to be performing better," Clarke said.
Clarke's Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni also gave him a piece of advice following Australia's back-to-back defeats in the four-match series.'Both wickets have been good Test cricket wickets'
When Dhoni was asked what would be his advice to Clarke, he smiled and replied, "I will just like to say that screaming won't help.
"Beyond that, I won't poke my nose as you need to respect your opponents in whatever situation they are. You won't like to give advice to the Australians as they are very competitive. They can come back strongly."
Clarke said that the pitches on offer in the first two matches were good Test wickets.
"I don't think pitches were bad. I think both wickets have been good Test cricket wickets and we just haven't performed well enough, it's as simple as that."