A winning formula for Australia might not be quite as simple as shifting Michael Clarke back to number five, but if statistics are anything to go by, at least it will help with getting some runs on the board. With Steve Smith in doubt through injury, the selection pickle might be an easy one for the Australian think-tank.

Michael Clarke isn't far from becoming that proverbial camel whose back encountered the final straw. Something is rotten in the state of Australian cricket, and it has been for quite some time - but nothing is quite as rotten as the position Clarke is currently batting in.

Clarke batting at number four is a "take one for the team" scenario. But what is the point in trying to strengthen one position while weakening two in the process? The statistics are damning. Clarke averages just 21.51 in the 20 games he has batted at four. Batting at number five, he averages 63.41 - 20 out of his 23 Test tons have come there in the 65 games he's played in that position. He's never even scored a hundred batting at four...