Fifth Test could end within three days: Clarke

Fifth Test could end within three days: Clarke: Retiring Australia captain Michael Clarke on Thursday said that the fifth and final Ashes Test against England could be over in three days, and admitted the odds were stacked against his team. Clarke, who will bid adieu after the inconsequential Test, said The Oval pitch was exceptionally green, a situation that has caused major issues for his batsmen during the series.

“The pitch The Oval has prepared for the fifth Test is the greenest I’ve seen this entire series, and I believe there’s every chance we could see a third consecutive match finish inside three days,” he said in a column for the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

“However, this time, it simply has to be us that finishes on the right side of the scoreboard. The boys know we are good enough to aim up in these conditions, but to win it’s going to take grit and dogged resilience, particularly from us as batsmen – characteristics we just weren`t able to find at Cardiff, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge” his column further read.

For Clarke, his 115th Test will be his last before the 34-year-old prolific batsman retires from international duty. England, 3-1 up in the five-match contest, have already regained the Ashes following crushing victories by eight wickets at Edgbaston and an innings and 78 runs at Trent Bridge.

“Our batting has been so poor in the first innings of the past two Tests; we haven’t given ourselves a chance and once again we have to be prepared for the fact that surviving out there is going to be really difficult” said Clarke.

“Technique and decision-making is obviously important, but it’s all about character in my opinion. We need to fight as hard as we possibly can and it’s our responsibility as Australian Test cricketers to do so” the Aussie skipper added.

While admitting there will be no fairy-tale ending to his career, he vowed to go out fighting. “Of course I was hoping, as we all were, to go home with the Ashes, but for me playing for Australia has always meant fighting to the end, even in the tough times. And with the odds stacked against us, that’s what we have the opportunity to do at The Oval” he said.