We’ll settle for nothing less than a victory: Clark

“See, we are one-nil down in the series. We have to win here and we have to play good cricket,” Clarke told reporters after the team’s rigorous practice session at Kotla.

“We are taking the positives from the last two matches and looking forward to a great Test match. We are not concerned about India’s record here,” added the right-hander, who would have to play a key role with the bat if the visitors want to level the score at the venue where India has won last seven matches on the trot.

Clarke, who scored 23 and 69 in the previous match at Mohali, admitted the task would not be easy but felt the Aussies were quite up to the challenge.

“Hopefully it would not get too difficult. India is playing very good at the moment but our preparation has been fantastic and we are looking forward to another great Test.

“Any match against India, that too in India, is always tough but our preparation has been excellent and we did everything possible over the last two days,” said the talented batsman. Stuart Clark’s absence, owing to an elbow injury, has depleted the Australian to a great extent. Clarke said the seamer would again be assessed tomorrow even though he is getting in the shape to play the third Test.

“I spoke to the physio and at present, he is looking good for the match. We would still have a look at him tomorrow and see how it goes,” Clarke said.

Clarke himself has been less than impressive in the series so far but the right-hander oozed confidence of hitting form in time to help Australia stage a comeback in the side.

“Definitely I would have loved to score a few more runs. I’m happy that I managed to gets some runs in the second innings of the Mohali Test but I guess all the guys in the side would have loved to score more,” he said.

The morning haze hanging over Kotla didn’t escape Clarke’s eyes but the Aussie vice captain seemed quite unfazed.

“We all noticed that, I think it’s okay with us. It’s not much of a problem,” he said.