No easy answers for Aussie cricketers

As an Ashes series looms, Ricky Ponting's Australian team returns from India with a set of tough questions and not all the answers.

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?

Have you got the answers? Tell us below

In little more than a month, Australia will take the field in the first Ashes Test against England at the Gabba, with all 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.

Looming largest among the questions confronting Ponting is the form of vice-captain and No.4 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.

"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.

Among others, grizzled opener Simon Katich squandered numerous starts and No.6 Marcus North maintained his impeccable record for inconsistency by playing one significant innings surrounded by three failures.

"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."