On Thursday, the 2013 Champions Trophy opened with a 26-run win for India over South Africa.
Clarke missed Australia’s first match, a fixture against England, because of his back flaring up.
England subsequently ran out big winners.
This made me think about the best way to use Australia’s best batsman.
Clarke’s best hope of being fit and firing come the Ashes will be to miss the Champion’s Trophy.
He will be missed more then than now.
Bailey will take over as captain and Clarke’s ODI form is not equivalent to his Test form, so a replacement will be easier to find.
Australia’s Ashes hopes rely heavily on Clarke’s performances, and his absence will drastically reduce any chance Australia already had of achieving an Ashes upset.
Will Clarke be missed in the Champion’s Trophy?
I don’t think so.
Sure he will leave a small gap but a gap fillable by others.
Clarke’s moderate ODI form could be replicated by someone like Steve Smith or Usman Khawaja.
Although these replacements are not at Clarke’s level, Clarke would be easier to replace in ODIs compared to in the longer form of the game.
Clarke’s experience in England and in the Ashes is invaluable.
Australia would like to have Clarke fit all the time, but this will not be the case so he must be managed so that he can have an extended Test career, which is what Australia need if they are going to once again become a world power.
So Roarers, should Clarke be left out of the Champion’s Trophy side to get his back right for the Ashes?
Vikramsinh
Guest
Clarke should skip the IPL Clarke should skip the Champions Trophy ....................................................................... Clarke should skip the Ashes ...................... ....................................... ...................................... ...................................... .................................... .................................. What about World Cup.................................
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Siddle is not great.
Disco
Roar Guru
Well, 'keyboard warrior' is a juvenile attempt at an insult (not to mention meaningless) Arguing your opinion is far more interesting than name-calling.
Disco
Roar Guru
Exactly. If you ignore bowling average and instead look at wickets taken, career longevity and Test series wins; here Anderson is so far vastly superior and better performed than, say, Siddle.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
I haven't but his bowling would be suited to tying batsman down.
Tasman
Guest
Slaters comments today was very interesting. Honestly, it is a win-win situation if he does return. Can't see things getting more disastrous than this?
Matt F
Roar Guru
Of course they aren't but generally stats reflect performances, Some players are simply more suited to one format over another. How many one-day games at any level have you seen Jackson Bird play?
Figs gaga
Guest
Billy
Guest
Learn To Use Paragraphs Correctly.
Billy
Guest
+1
Figs gaga
Guest
Glad someone understood.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Disco, I am fine with his opinion it is just the words he choose to put it in. I don't like the way someone copies your comment and then criticises it like doing this. "Keyboard warrior’: the laughable attempt at an insult one reverts to in lieu of a cohesive argument". I just find that kinda rude.
Aakash ATGM Bhat
Roar Rookie
Clarke shud play the next game if he's fit. Sadly,i think this back thing will be an issue in the ashes as well.he may miss a game or two so i think we should look for some kinda backup plan. Doolan should b picked in the side.
mals
Guest
Where did it say from GOTG that his opinion was always right? sorry to get involved but what a extraordinary and amateur reply Nick. Also swooping down to calling someone a keyboard warrior and bringing up writing skills just shows you have nothing left to debate, like i said really amateur Champ! Especially on a opinion site! I kind of agree with you though, not a fan of champions trophy but while we are there, let's give it our best shot!
Disco
Guest
'Keyboard warrior': the laughable attempt at an insult one reverts to in lieu of a cohesive argument. It's great that you pump out so many articles, Nick, but not everyone is going to agree with your views.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
What about using journeymen for Tests, to allow young players to gain FC experience, allowing them to hone and develop their game and be better prepared for the next step up to Test cricket?
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
I agree that have Clarke for the back to back Ashes series should be a higher priority than any contribution he may be able to make in the Champions Trophy (CT). The real issue then becomes the particulars of his back problem, specifically, will playing in the CT, increase the likelihood of him missing an Ashes Test? The more likely playing CT will lead to missed Ashes Tests, the more he should be kept from playing in the CT.
James
Guest
saying no one cares isnt true people do care just not nearly as much as people care about the ashes.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
The glaring fact here is that no matter how good Mr Clarke is he has a chronic incapacitating injury that will only get worse with time and therefore renders him unfitfor duty Australia will just have to take a spoonful of cement and harden up :-)
Get off the grass
Guest
Wow..........just wow! I thought this was an opinion site where having opinions didn't mean you are a keyboard warrior! I also didn't know everyone who expresses an opinion has to be a first class journalist. I expressed points and argument against your article and you have gone all precious and wimpy! If you are going to be so thin skinned about people having other opinions then I hope this is not a job you want to do full time. From now on I will just agree with everything you say................hilarious!