Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has criticized Australia's preparations for the 2023 World Cup campaign after the team's loss against South Africa on Thursday in Lucknow, which was their second defeat in a row.

Australia was initially defeated by India in Chennai due to a lackluster batting performance. With anticipations heightened for a potential resurgence in the subsequent match, Australia's performance deteriorated further, culminating in a humiliating 134-run loss to South Africa in the second match, which was conducted in Lucknow on October 10.

Clarke, as quoted by the Daily Mail on Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast, is concerned about Australia's chances against the sub-continental teams; a repeat of their performance from the first two games could put an end to the five-time champions' prospects of advancing to the semi-finals.

"Sri Lanka are going to be tough in those conditions. We haven't played Pakistan yet. We've got some really tough cricket ahead of us and if we play like this, we are not qualifying," said Clarke.

"I'm more worried about the sub-continent teams... if we're getting shown up like that against South Africa, the spin in the sub-continent teams... we'll be laughable. If we're not careful the conversation we've been having for the last three weeks about the Wallabies, in two weeks' time we'll be having that about Australian cricket."