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.
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.
“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?
Bayman
Guest
In hindsight Clarke could have batted on, broken a few more records, and Australia would still have won. However, decisions like that are not made with hindsight in mind - that only comes later with, well, hindsight! The first priority was to win the game and for that Clarke needed time. Enough time, perhaps, that if India did somehow manage to ask Australia to bat again he still had some time to knock off whatever runs were required. The track, by then, was a road after all. I think we have to take Clarke on his word when he said he waited for Hussey to get his 150 then pulled the pin. Individual records, if he even knew what they were, were not part of the agenda. He was happy with an unbeaten 300 and 400 seemed a long way off. I think he made the right call. He won the match by an innings so, on any level, the declaration was a good decision. Had all the century makers made 180 and Haddin had come in and made 70 odd would there now be any questions as to the timing of the declaration. It's only the 329no which now attracts debate. If Clarke didn't see the need to beat Lara, or anyone else on the way to Lara, I reckon we just need accept that and be happy with the result.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I admire Mr Clarke after saying a few derisional things in his direction in the past. He has shown (like all good team captains) that he is his own man by putting the team ahead of his own career. He was right in saying that setting his own record wouldn't mean anything if his side didn't win the test . I think he had better be careful about trying to please the public too much but hey; he's got quite a number of good years ahead of him and he may well get another opportunity to take the record and more power to him if he does :-)
John
Guest
Cricket is a team game. We do not need a Geoff Boycott playing for his own glory at the expense of his team.
Al
Guest
Poor declaration? Get the man a cloth to wipe that egg off.... Lol
OldManEmu
Guest
Michael Clark declared too early. India was on the ropes and a few more hours in the field would have destroyed them. I would have batted on and on and into Day 4. Leaving aside any personal milestones this was a poor declaration. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Nate Hornblower
Guest
typical of the way Clarke polarises Australians that even after one of the most selfless acts in cricket history, some still find a way to be critical of Clarke.
me too
Guest
if anyone else was captain clark would've been encouraged to go on. a selfless act, but one hundred years from now all that will be remembered was that he fell shy of a few records. but for now let's celebrate watching one of the great innings.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
If it's possible to do it without jeopardising the team's chances - which it was - then you should go for it. As I commented on another thread, breaking records is part of the fun of cricket and for Clarke to beat Lara's record would have been brilliant for the game. The "team before self" praise is a red herring in my opinion. My grandmother could bowl this Indian team out in 2 days.
Eric
Guest
I thought he declared too early, regardless of personal milestones, because the pitch is still playing well, and we do not want to bat again. The only counter to that is the potential to lose time with bad weather, taking away time to bowl India out again.
TomC
Guest
It's worth noting that when Brian Lara scored his famous 400 not out at St Johns, the West Indies still only managed a draw against England as they failed to bowl them out twice in the remaining time. In my view that tarnishes that record more than a little bit. If we assume that Clarke completely ignored his own score and any upcoming milestones, the only real question is whether 466 was enough of a lead with the time remaining. Personally I think with two and a half days remaining and six wickets in hand, the Aussies could have spent another seven or eight overs trying to beat the cover off the ball 20/20 style on that excellent batting wicket. An extra 50 runs or so might come in handy should India manage to bat into day 5.
Lindommer
Guest
Australian cricketers don't play for records, they play for the team. We may not be in such a dominant position in another test in this series, it is paramount we win THIS test. Clarke did the right thing declaring when he did, letting Hussey reach 150 while giving his fast bowlers three starts at the Indian batsmen. To be honest I'm disappointed an Australian would write such a piece insinuating an Australian cricketer could put himself before the team.
Jammy
Guest
People are disappointed with 329*? Get a life. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Silvio
Guest
Please guys leave him alone .... With his gorgeous girlfriend sitting in the stands wouldn't you have declared as well and hope to finish the test on day 4 and spend day 5 with her? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Not if he was trying to win the Test.