The prospect of Australian skipper Michael Clarke missing the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka with a hamstring problem would be a crushing blow to the gathering momentum of the new-look baggy greens.
Even though there’s eight days until the MCG Test gets underway, hammies don’t heal quickly – as anyone who has suffered the pain will readily attest.
Clarke is not only the best batsman in the side by the length of the straight, but his positive captaincy flair is also gathering momentum.
If Clarke is ruled out, his vice-captain Shane Watson will obviously take over, with the most senior player left, Mike Hussey, as his deputy.
Watson is an unkown commodity, which in itself would lead to enormous additional pressure. That’s not to say he wouldn’t do a good job, as he has a shrewd cricket brain and is respected by his peers.
The next question would be how would the captaincy affect his all-round performance? In Clarke’s case it has given him a huge adrenalin lift to make him the world’s leading Test run-getter this year.
And while Clarke is essentially a team man, there’s some unfinished personal business to attend to in the last Test of the year.
He’s just 56 runs away from becoming Australia’s most prolific run-scorer in a calendar year.
Ricky Ponting has the honour with 1544 scored in 2005 at an average of 55.90 with seven tons, and five half-centuries.
So far Clarke has 1489 at 106.35, with a world record-setting triple and three double centuries – 329*, 210, 259*, and 230, just shy of 1500 runs in the year.
And the MCG has a special significance to the skipper, where he’s never scored a ton in the always long-awaited Boxing Day Test. It’d be nice to see him get that chance without injury hampering him.
- In 2004, he scored 20 against Pakistan.
- He missed the 2005 and 2006 fixtures.
- In 2007 he scored 20 and 73 against India.
- In 2008 – 88* and 29 against South Africa.
- In 2009 – 28* and 37 against Pakistan.
- In 2010 – 20 and 13 against England.
- And last year – 31 and one against India.
The no. Three
Guest
Just go to our go-to man, George Bailey, AND make him the captain. Done it before..
Prashanth
Guest
Clarke is always a team player........:)
matt h
Guest
Now the game is over and that extra hour's time to bowl out the opposition was gold are you prepared to retract all this rubbish? Clarke's captaincy recored to date is brilliant, especially given the team he has. I lost series, in a close contest to the number one team in the worlld. Remember he held them 1-1- in SA as well.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Hey Mick, do you think Clarke knows there is a weather forecaster? Not sure, have not a clue why in todays day and age a young man like himself would utilise all avenues and forms of technology to win a test match. Maybe they should have tried to play for a draw.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Just a quick question Felix. Who won?
lolly
Guest
I agree. It's outrageous that the skipper does all he can to get wins. ****ing hell, it's test cricket, what is he playing at?
ambanwala
Roar Rookie
If Clarke will not feature in the Boxing Day that will be just what the doctor ordered for Sri Lanka as they can open up that barrier between Clarke and Hussy. It was almost impossible to break.
DJW
Guest
Mick yes you are a clown. If Clarke had declared later we would have run out of time to bowl out the Sri Lankan's today. His attacking captaincy has been excellent. Every cricket expert, past players has said how good his captaincy has been. If he hadn't retired hurt he would have made a ton, did you not see how well he was batting. He leaves punter for dead when it comes to captaincy.
Bearfax
Guest
It will be tough to win without the Pup. But Australia's batting line up has to start standing up for itself and stop relying so much on Clarke and Hussey to get them through. Things improved in the last match with Hughes there at 3. But there are still problems with this team and its structure. Still think Watson should be 6. Despite a 56 by Cowen, he is still averaging only 34, an average less than Hughes was scoring when he was dropped and not much better than Khawaja's brief stay. Good to see they have chosen Khawaja as Clarke's replacement. I dont think he'll let us down. But Australia sans Pup will require a number of players lifting their game.
Rob
Guest
If haddin is seriously being considered then why isn't he the test keeper. I know if it were the reverse nobody would be calling for a wade call up as a specialist batsman. Khawaja for mine.
Brett McKay
Expert
Clarke says he's confident he'll be right for Boxing Day, but Usman Khawaja is in squad on standby. Jackson Bird coming in for The Hilf..
Maggie
Guest
Now what was that about Clarke declaring too early?? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Brett McKay
Expert
Kev, for you mate.. (from Twitter just now) @FOXSportsNews: @Uz_Khawaja pulled from @ThunderBBL's upcoming match and expected to replace Michael Clarke for Boxing Day Test
Red Kev
Guest
No, what I'm saying is exactly what I typed. Did you miss the bit about breaking the batsman's concentration and trying something unexpected or being a bowler down? Try reading next time. Clarke wins matches as captain because he tries things.
Felix
Guest
Declaration at 450 was horrible,a fan of clarke but I'm afraid he's no steve waugh or any better captain
Mick the Clown
Guest
So what your saying is "non performance" + "excuse" = OK as "At least he tried" This is what is wrong with Australian cricket. Stop making excuses. This has been a game of incredibly poor captaincy.
Red Kev
Guest
In the last over before tea and in desperate need of a breakthrough when a bowler down? Yes, yes it is. It is called trying something different. Break the batsman's concentration with something unexpected and snare a wicket. It didn't work, but it didn't backfire either, at least he tried something.
Mick the Clown
Guest
And bringing on Wade is great captaincy?
Brett McKay
Expert
think you're living up to your tag there, Mick...
Seano
Guest
It's only one game, they will pick quinney! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].