Australia’s Clarke rejects claims he is struggling for form ahead of Test series

Captain points to recent run-scoring in defence of his batting

Australia captain Michael Clarke looks on during a nets session at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2014, in Dubai. Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

DUBAI // Michael Clarke might have a well-founded reputation as the international game’s most attacking captain, but he has been on the defensive before the start of this series.

After a tentative return to the playing field in Sharjah last week following an injury lay-off, the Australia captain was irked by the intimation that he is short of form with the bat.

Out of practice, maybe, but out of form? Not so, according to the man himself. Tellingly, he can immediately quote his recent scores to assuage the doubters.

Clarke felt compelled to convey his disappointment about an article questioning his form during Australia's four-day practice match against Pakistan A.

“Are you kidding or what?” Clarke tweeted on Saturday, accompanied by a screengrab of the offending report.

“Run drought? Pretty sure I scored 161 the last time I batted ...”

He was on the defensive again on Tuesday, insisting that he was refreshed after his recent break and hungry from runs.

“The last time I played, I got 68 not out against Zimbabwe,” Clarke said.

“The time before that, I got a golden duck, the time before that I got 161 not out, so I certainly think I’m doing OK in regards to form.

“I don’t think I am lacking form. I am lacking game practice under my belt, because I haven’t played a game for five weeks, if you take out the most recent practice game.”

Clarke made 10 and five in the four-day practice match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, appearing skittish and impatient on his return to the crease.

He is not the only Australia batsman who is light on practice. Chris Rogers faced six deliveries over the course of the match in Sharjah. His opening partner, David Warner, did not play at all.

The theme goes for both sides, though. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s senior batsmen, have barely had any long-form cricket of note lately.

And they know the Australians plan to target them in particular.

“We know teams are going to target us as senior players and as important members of the team,” said Misbah, who is one of three survivors from Pakistan’s 2002 Test series loss to Australia in the UAE, along with Younis and Taufeeq Umar.

“This is how cricket goes. You have to face that, and if you can pass through that then your team is on the road.

“We will be trying to get through that and try to tackle that, and that is the challenge.”

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