Michael Clarke's truth bomb for Australia after 'disappointing' Ashes result
The former Test captain has called out a number of glaring issues after the Ashes series finished in a 2-2 draw.
Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke says Pat Cummins' team should be disappointed in not winning the Ashes outright and hopes the narrow escape in England does not camouflage what he sees as worrying signs at the top level. England levelled the Ashes at 2-2 with a 49-run win in the fifth Test at The Oval, claiming a moral victory after making the running for most of the series.
Australia's victories in the first two Tests – aided and abetted by a washout in Manchester – were enough to retain the urn. But the visitors, according to Clarke, should be stinging after failing to become the first team in 22 years to win the Ashes in England.
'SHAME ON YOU': England's 'classless' act towards Steve Smith
'NO WAY IN THE WORLD': Ricky Ponting calls for investigation over ball
"I'd rather 2-2 than losing but I think they should be disappointed. I think the players will be very disappointed we didn't win this series at least 3-1," Clarke told Sky Sports Radio just hours after England wrapped up the fifth Test.
"On the one hand they'd be celebrating (retaining the Ashes), but they blew an opportunity. We were in a very dominant position after the first two Test matches.
"We had a chance to win the series, to win the Ashes in England, but we couldn't get over that line. We retain the Ashes - so there's the win - but I think there's lots to look at out of the past six months."
Michael Clarke questions Aussie tactics and selections
Clarke believes Australia's tactics and selection policies in both red and white ball cricket need to come under close scrutiny. He said: "There's been a number of things that really need to be looked at to see Australian cricket back to No.1 in the world in all formats.
"I think our performances against India in India were very poor and not just the playing (side of things). (I'm talking) selections and some decisions that were made and we should have a look at what’s just happened in England.
"Even when we were on top I think there were some question marks on a number of different things. Some of our tactics and selections – not picking a spinner in Manchester, rain saved us there – we can’t just sweep it under the carpet because we've retained the Ashes. I'd much rather retain them than not but there are some things holding us back, there's no doubt about it."
The Australian Test side faces generational change over the next couple of years. David Warner will no longer be at the top of the order, while fellow elder statesmen Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith are also nearing the end of their careers. And while record-breaking off-spinner Nathan Lyon has given no indication he will walk away from the game anytime soon, paceman Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be in their mid-30s by the time the next Ashes series is played in Australia in 2025/26.
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
