Ricky Ponting: 'Michael Clarke has to remain at number four'

Ricky Ponting has insisted that Michael Clarke has to remain at number four in the batting order for Australia in the fourth Ashes Test.

The 34-year-old has struggled for form in the series, scoring just 94 runs in his six innings, and he suggested that - after his side's eight-wicket defeat to England at Edgbaston - he was considering whether to move down the order to number five.

However, Ponting is adamant that Clarke has to stay in his place to ease the pressure on his teammates in the lower order.

"If Clarke doesn't bat at four I think it sends a bad message out of the Australia dressing room," Ponting told Sky Sports News.

"I don't think there is a major difference in the positions other than mindset so he needs to forget his record at number five, score runs and take pressure off the younger middle order.

"He will be in the nets quickly but getting your rhythm back happens in the middle as the extreme pressures of Ashes cricket are hard to replicate in practice. It will only take a good 20 or 30 for Clarke to turn things around."

The fourth Test begins next week at Trent Bridge.