Clarke sends stern warning to beleaguered Marsh

Sydney, Jan 29(ANI): Australian captain Michael Clarke has told under-pressure Shaun Marsh to put some runs on board if he intends to be a part of the Australian team for long.

Clarke didn't mince any words while sending a straightforward warning to Marsh whom he still considers capable enough to play a big part in the Australian Test team.

Marsh could only manage to score 17 runs at a miserable average of 2.83 with three ducks against India and is deemed as the only weak link in the Australian Test team.

His dreadful batting average against India is also the second worst record in a series by a top order batsman after New Zealander Ken Rutherford who scored just 12 runs in seven innings at an average of 1.7 against the West Indies.

"I do see him as a big part of the Australian team in all three forms going forward but he does need to continue to make runs," The Herald Sun quoted Clarke, as saying.

Clarke also believes whatever opportunity Marsh gets either with the Australian team or the West Australian team in the shorter version, he needs to make most of it.

"If he gets the opportunity to play for Australia in the short form or goes back to WA he has to keep working hard, put some runs on the board. He needs to spend some time in the middle to get his confidence back up," he added. (ANI)