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Should Clarke have turned 300 into 400?

Roar Guru
5th January, 2012
14
1138 Reads

Michael Clarke batted himself into history with a first-ever Test 300 at the SCG. But should he have delayed Australia’s declaration and given himself a shot at even greater cricketing immortality?

The Aussie captain, heckled here a year ago during his first Test in charge, was hailed as a hero this time for a Test feat not even Don Bradman could achieve at his home ground.

But after hammering India into submission in the second Test, Clarke’s decision to end Australia’s first innings so early left some fans disappointed.

Clarke called a halt with Australia at 4-659, a massive first innings lead of 468 runs.

Mike Hussey had reached 150 and Clarke was unbeaten on 329.

Two and a half days play remained.

Clarke had already smashed the previous highest individual Test score at the ground of 287 set by England’s Reginald Foster in 1903.

He had cruised past the previous highest score in any Australia-India Test – VVS Laxman’s 281 in 2001.

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But so much more beckoned.

He was just five runs short of Bradman’s Test best – 334, a mark also reached by Mark Taylor, who as captain declared before passing it.

He was 11 runs away from Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya’s record score by any player against India.

He was 51 shy of Matthew Hayden’s Australian Test record of 380.

He was within 71 of West Indian Brian Lara’s all-time record of 400 not out.

Why not have a charge and really make it a day to remember?

Clarke said later he was intent on getting Australia a lead of 450 runs, and records did not enter his thinking.

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“I didn’t have Don Bradman or any score in my head whatsoever,” he said.

“I didn’t think about it at all.

“It’s about putting the team first. If it was best for the team to continue to bat I would have continued to bat.

“I am stoked with the 300. All the other records… I’m happy where I sit.”

Some argue he could have batted on at least until tea and still left plenty of time to bowl India out again.

Others contend Australia’s lead was more than enough, and if bad weather was to save India Clarke could have been accused in hindsight of selfishness.

One intriguing question remained: if Ricky Ponting had still been captain, would he have let Clarke bat on?

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