ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) - The beaten West Indian tourists must be bemused at Australia's sacking of Michael Clarke after two comprehensive Test victories. As the once-great Caribbean team search for ways to become competitive in Test cricket again, the Australians are showing a lack of patience with 'underperforming' players. Australia crushed the West Indies by 379 runs and nine wickets in Brisbane and Hobart and yet could find no place for one-time golden boy Clarke, who became the fifth player axed in the fall-out to the Ashes loss to England. National selectors are showing little sentiment as they toss out players down on form, even though the team is winning easily against the spasmodic tourists. Fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz were discarded during the Ashes series in September, but since returning home middle-order batsmen Damien Martyn and Simon Katich have been dumped as selectors seek to rejuvenate an ageing team. It was thought 24-year-old Clarke had time on his side and was being tried in Martyn's No.4 batting spot. But since his dazzling Test debut 151 against India in Bangalore in October last year and 141 in his first home Test against New Zealand in Brisbane the following month, his form has plateaued. In his next 20 innings the right-hander, known by team-mates as Pup, could not raise another Test century. In 20 Test appearances, Clarke scored 1072 runs at 36.96, but since his Brisbane flourish his average has slipped to 24.57. Now it's the turn of Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge to prove their worth at Test level. Hussey was man-of-the-match with his first innings 137 in the Hobart win, while Hodge made a compact 60 on his Test debut. When push came to shove and experienced opener Justin Langer was fit again after breaking a rib, it was Clarke and not Hussey or Hodge who made way. The West Indies top-six batsmen, criticised for playing in the comfort zone without fear of retribution, have struggled for consistency through this ill-fated Frank Worrell Trophy series, and can only look on and marvel at the depth of Australian cricket to react the way they do. The tourists lost batsman Marlon Samuels yesterday as he returned home to Jamaica because of a knee injury. A tour which began promisingly with a career-best 257 in the opening match against Queensland fizzled out in the first two Tests with scores of 5, 17 not out, 5 and 29. "It is disappointing that I am not able to complete the tour, but this is an unfortunate situation and I need to heed the medical advice now so that there is no further damage," Samuels said yesterday. He was struck on the knee by a delivery from Australian fast bowler Brett Lee in the first innings of the second Hobart Test. Samuels was forced to bat with a runner and was restricted in the second innings, but still managed to bat for two hours. His departure presents an opportunity for batsman Wavell Hinds or all-rounder Dwayne Smith to come into the side for the third and final Test at Adelaide Oval, starting Friday. Reprinted from jamaicaobserver.com