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It’s no secret Michael Clarke isn’t on the Christmas card list of Cricket Australia, the national selectors, nor head coach Darren Lehmann. And it’s been of the Australian captain’s own making.
He’s openly defied Cricket Australia and the selectors’ requests since he broke down in Adelaide 10 weeks ago.
No matter how well Clarke’s batting or skippering, he can’t buck the powers-that-be. Ever.
Lehmann is a different kettle of fish. He’s the best appointment Australian cricket’s had since John Buchanan took over as head coach in 1999.
Strangely, leg-spin legend Shane Warne never got on with Buchanan, and recently Warne gave Lehmann a massive serve, suggesting he was overstepping his authority mark.
‘The Australian cricket captain is the boss’ was Warne’s theme. It appears Clarke’s thoughts have been along similar lines. But a collision course with the no-nonsense Lehmann isn’t a good call.
So with Clarke not on the same page as Cricket Australia, the selectors, and Lehmann, he had better start getting some runs, and in a hurry, or he won’t be captain for too much longer.
No better time to start than today at the WACA against Afghanistan. Then he can back it up on Sunday against Sri Lanka at the SCG, and six days later in Hobart against Scotland before the quarters.
Australia must finish second behind unbeaten New Zealand to avoid a quarter clash with the South Africans who are, at last, getting their act into gear.
Out of the 19 World Cup centuries scored so far in this tournament, 5 have been by South Africans, and 5 by Sri Lankans.
Hashim Amla (159), Faf du Plessis (109), AB de Villiers (162*), David Miller (138*), and JP Duminy (115*) for South Africa, and Kumar Sangakkara (105* and 117*), Lahiru Thirimanne (139*), Tillakaratne Dilshan (161*), and Mahela Jayawardene (124) for Sri Lanka.
Australia has scored just one, Aaron Finch (135), but he was dropped a sitter on nought by Englishman Chris Woakes. That really tells the story of how the Australian batting is faring.
The last game was proof enough, losing 8-26 after being 1-80 against the Black Caps at Eden Park.
Steve Smith (4) was due for a failure after a string of big scores, Clarke (12), Glenn Maxwell (1), Mitchell Marsh (0), Mitchell Johnson (1), and Mitchell Starc (0) were inexcusable on a good deck, despite the accurate bowling of Kiwi pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
That was an Australian capitulation indicative of their mindset. But there’s no more room for error.
So what team will the Australian selectors send out today? Josh Hazlewood for the injured Pat Cummins, and James Faulkner for Shane Watson?
The first has been forced, but the second should be Faulkner for Maxwell, who was back to his cowboy worst at Eden Park. Not only was he dismissed for a ‘lightning’ one run, but when Kiwi wickets were falling regularly Maxwell baited the sell-out crowd by placing his right hand around his throat, giving a ‘choking’ sign.
Maxwell will be treated at Eden Park in future like Quade Cooper was for slippering All Black skipper Richie McCaw.
The Kiwis never forget – just ask Trevor Chappell.
But today all eyes will be on Michael Clarke, as he road tests his future.