Thursday 6 August 2015 10:39, UK
Michael Clarke has vowed to battle on as Australia captain and dismissed claims he has lost his competitive edge as "rubbish".
Clarke has scored just 94 runs at an average below 19 as Australia trail England 2-1 in the Investec Ashes series with two Tests to play.
The Australian media has gone on the attack, claiming the 34-year-old looks 'lost and bewildered' and will pay for his poor form with his job.
But Clarke, who has 28 centuries to his name from 113 Tests, came out fighting in a column for Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
"The criticisms of my game at the moment are deserved and I wouldn't expect anything different, especially as the captain of the team," he told the newspaper.
"But I've heard there have been a few articles questioning me for not having that hunger inside me. I think somebody said they could 'see it in my eyes' that I was finished after this series.
"That's a complete load of rubbish."
Clark said his will to win is as strong as ever and vowed to carry the fight to the opposition, starting in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge this week and beyond.
"People can certainly have a shot at me about my performance but they can't have a shot at me about my desire and my will to play this great game," he said.
"To this day, I'm the first to training and the last to leave, so don't tell me that I don't have the desire and the hunger.
To question me on my hunger kills me, it absolutely kills me, because I pride myself on trying to get better every single day. After 12 years in this team I still think I can improve.
“I'm 34 not 37 and I want to keep playing for Australia beyond this series. However, I will be judged on performance like everyone else.
"To question me on my hunger kills me, it absolutely kills me, because I pride myself on trying to get better every single day. After 12 years in this team I still think I can improve.
"I just need to find a way through hard work, self-belief and a bit of luck to get to 30 and I think I'll be in a much different place."
Watch Clarke and his team take on England in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Coverage starts on Sky Sports Ashes HD at 10am.
