Clarke determined to nail No. 4

Michael Clarke does not think his technique is too loose for a top-order Test role © Getty Images

Michael Clarke feels No. 4 is his best position and he is not planning any major restructuring to counter complaints his technique is too loose for the important role. Bumped up a spot to replace Damien Martyn in the Super Test after a mixed Ashes tour, Clarke has come under criticism from Mark Waugh, who felt he was not ready for the spot and had too many shots, Kerry O'Keeffe and Jamie Cox.

"That's my ideal position," he said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's where I've batted for NSW for a while and hopefully I can cement my spot there for Australia."

Clarke has asked his critics to pass on any tips but is confident with the technique that "got me this far". "They're entitled to their own opinion, no matter who it is," Clarke said. "I'd probably prefer those sort of guys to give me a call if they've got any ways of helping me."

Darren Lehmann, who offered his spot to Clarke in India last year, said in the Daily Telegraph Clarke was a class batsman who would go on to captain Australia. "We have got to work towards that and let him progress," he told the paper. "He is going to go through troughs and highs and we have to ride those as we did with Steve Waugh in his early years."

Struggling in his second year of Test cricket, Clarke, the Allan Border Medal winner, has scored only 452 runs at 30.13 in 2005, and the lean patch has brought his career average below 40 for the first time. "My batting's improved out of sight through the England tour," he said. "I learnt a lot about my own game. I had to work very hard to make runs over there. I hope it continues to improve. I'm disappointed I haven't made a big score in Test cricket of late, but I feel like I'm hitting the ball pretty well."