Maybe worse. Like you I would not be aware of how poorly the Aussies batted in 1956 but a lot was made of how good Laker was. Remember that he took 19 wickets in the match while the other spinner, Tony Lock, bowled 69 overs in the match for 1 wicket. And although there were a lot of ducks and single figure scores Australia did not succumb to bad shots initially getting to 48 and 28 for the first wicket respectively. That series cost Ian Johnson his place.
The second innings will tell what kind of effort it was, in Old Trafford the first innings was over in 40.4 overs, 30 bowled by Laker and Lock. But it was 150.2 in the second with Laker and Lock bowling 106.2.
Dropping a captain during a series is not the way to go; he has had 11 innings since a 50 but both he and a lot of captains before him have had dry spells and then come back.
I am not saying ditch Clarke mid series but at the end of the series that is about it for Pup.
Some say that Lock bowled better than Laker at Old Trafford but did not get the wickets. I can remember the return series in Australia when P.B.L. May lead the poms. England was supposed to wipe the floor with Australia but a different Captain in Richie Benaud and a few inclusions made all the difference.
I do not have a problem with Clarke's poor form as he is a class batsman and possibly still has a season or two. I do not have a problem with his on field tactics which are still sound. My main bitch is his off field leadership which from all reports is non existent. Clarke is tainted with the Mickey Arthur brush and he needs to go. I guess all the experts will point to Steve Smith but I am not sure he has the personality. Australia does not need a nice guy. It needs someone who will support the Coach, get the players on track and playing together. Clarke inherited the job because he was from NSW and there was no one else, I hope the same formula does not equal Steve Smith.
I suppose this means that Watson will be recalled for the next Test?