Cricket: Questions galore for Aussies as Ashes loom

Ricky Ponting's Australian team do not have all the answers.

They will return from India with a whole new set of questions.

Why have we lost three tests in a row?

Where has Michael Clarke's form gone?

What is wrong with the batting?

Why are starts not being converted?

Will Marcus North ever become consistent?

What can be done about Nathan Hauritz?

And is Brad Haddin really a better Ashes option than Tim Paine?

In little more than a month, Australia will take the field in the first Ashes test against England at the Gabba, with the rich expectations of a home side seeking to regain the urn.

But a series defeat in India to follow an uneven display against Pakistan in England has left the team at a low ebb, ranked fifth in the world and dealing with their longest test-match losing streak for 22 years.

It is not the most promising ground from which to launch an Ashes campaign. As captain Ricky Ponting sees it, any problems confirmed in India should be resolved by a return to home comforts.

The loss to India in the second test in Bangalore was ultimately a hefty one, but Ponting said there were few "gaping holes" in his team that could not be remedied by a generous domestic programme between now and the first test at the Gabba.

"The scoreline was pretty flattering for the India team so we have to look at the positives we've created over the last couple of weeks," said Ponting. "In saying that, all any of us can do when we go back home is play the best cricket we can."

Looming largest among the questions confronting Ponting is the form of vice-captain and No4 Clarke, scorer of only 35 runs in four innings in India and only one half-century in eight since he switched with Mike Hussey in the batting order.

Ponting believes Clarke's problems were more symptomatic of India than anything else. "You don't have to worry about Michael Clarke. He knows his own game very well. The fact that he's moved up one spot in the order, I don't think that's got anything to do with the runs he has or hasn't scored.

"He's a world-class player and I'm sure when the Ashes comes around, you'll see him in good touch."

Among others, grizzled opener Simon Katich squandered numerous starts and No6 Marcus North maintained his impeccable record for inconsistency by playing one significant innings surrounded by three failures.

Ponting argued his side would grow in power at home.

"There are some issues there we need to deal with," he said. "We have to get over them quickly but I think we shape up well in Australia.

Ponting conceded there was one matter that must be addressed most urgently.

"I knew it was a long time ago. I wasn't playing in 1988, although it feels like it," Ponting said of the present losing streak.

"We have to get off that train, for sure. We have to start winning test matches."

- AAP