Australia skipper Michael Clarke says he’s a liability

Birmingham: Australia captain Michael Clarke said his side had been “playing with 10 players” as his lean spell with the bat continued during an eight-wicket defeat by England in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

A particular concern is the form of the 34-year-old Clarke, one of the outstanding batsmen of his era. But in his past 28 Test innings, Clarke has reached 25 just six times.

His run of low totals continued at Edgbaston, with innings of 10 and three seeing his average dip below 50 — a mark that is considered a sign of an all-time great. Other batsmen in and around number four Clarke, such as Adam Voges, are also struggling.

But Clarke tried to take the pressure off his teammates by telling Sky Sports: “The form of number four certainly concerns me. “We’ve been playing with 10 players and the captain’s got to come off the plane and contribute. “England deserve credit, they’ve bowled well to me and found a way to get me out early in my innings.”

England pacer James Anderson has been ruled out of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.