Clarke admits need to improve 'low-scoring run' after Oz's 231-run loss in second Test

Australian captain Michael Clarke has admitted that he needs to improve his run of low scores ahead of the third and deciding Test against South Africa at Cape Town after making just one in his team's 231-run defeat in the second Test, which leveled the series 1-1.

The South African pace attack destroyed the visitors with brilliant reverse swing, leading them to a spectacular batting collapse by losing nine wickets in the last session at Port Elizabeth.

According to Telegraph.com.au, Clarke is aware that he has failed to a manage score of over 24 in his last 11 innings after beginning the Ashes series in Australia with centuries in the first two Tests, although he made light of his continuing run drought by joking that he could be forced out of the side if all-rounder Shane Watson returned for the third and deciding Test.

Although Clarke's place is not in danger, he is aware that his run of low scores will increasingly become a talking point, particularly if the team bats as badly as it did in this Test, and the skipper said that he is looking to make a score over 25 or 50 or a century in the third Test as it has been 11 innings since he scored 25.

Clarke seemed to take some comfort from the fact that former captain Mark Taylor went 21 innings with a top score of 43 during 1996 and 1997, saying that he still has 'room to play' and hoped not to see a similar fate in the third Test.