We will look to sign off with a win, says Clarke

NEW DELHI, Mar 21: The prospect of suffering a rare series whitewash is looming large but Australia skipper Michael Clarke today 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 here tomorrow.

     “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. (PTI)