Inconsistency - a worrying factor for captain Clarke

Australian captain Michael Clarke is a worried man ahead of the gruelling Test series against India as he feels his players are performing only in patches and this inconsistency was letting them down badly.

India and Australia face off in a four-Test series starting December 26 and the hosts have a lot to worry about after New Zealand managed to square the just-concluded Test series against them 1-1.

"You're seeing some really good patches of individual excellence and as a team we're playing really well in patches, but then you see the other side as well where we're letting ourselves down with very poor performances," he said after the Aussies lost the second Test by seven runs following a second innings batting collapse.

"We're inconsistent at the minute which is giving us all a pain in the backside," he conceded.

On whether he would have the faith in the eleven that he led in the New Zealand Tests when India come, Clarke said, "If the selectors decide this is the best 11 players to win the game on Boxing Day then I think it would be but it's something that obviously needs to be discussed over the next few days."

"To be honest the last thing I've been thinking about over the last few days is selection, I've been trying to get my head around winning this Test match, but now... no doubt I will be on the phone talking with the selectors about what the best squad is," he added.

Under Clarke's captaincy, the Australian team has just three wins in eight Tests. A major worry for Australia has been the dismal form of opener Philip Hughes and Clarke said he risks being dropped because of poor run.

"He's obviously really disappointed like all the batters are for the way we played today, but Hughes is probably most disappointed he's been getting out the same way," Clarke said.

"He needs to find some runs, it's as simple as that. If he's not making them for Australia, he's going to have to go to back to New South Wales and find them there."