Michael Clarke has never been found wanting for aggression and tactical nous. Somerset were clinically outplayed and lost by a margin that flattered to deceive for a side of trundlers, journeymen and wide-eyed tyros out of their depth.
It may be though, that Clarke’s choice to declare twice to push for victory for its own sake was counterproductive in the long term.
There are no doubts in my mind that the rejuvenated Australian batsmen line-up are wearing bowling machines out for most of their waking hours instead of formatting self-flagellating PowerPoints and throwing haymakers at beardless youths.
But nothing, nothing is a substitute for match practice.
Phil Hughes was denied a century when his fluent innings of 76 was cut short by a wave of Clarke’s hand.
It’s not nearly on the scale when Mike Atherton in the 1994-95 Ashes cruelly recalled Graeme Hick on 98 not out. Hick would never score an Ashes century, and Steve Waugh recalled Hick’s traumatic experience as perhaps the tipping point of his career from a potential Test great to the first-class plunderer who never quite made the step up.
It was a permanent checkmark against Atherton’s man-management.
Regardless though, Hughes, as perhaps the most confidence-dependent player in the squad, would have been given a titanic boost had Clarke allowed another ten overs to transpire from a tired and demoralised attack and given him ample time to get his first first-class century of 2013.
In Clarke’s defence, it is sound logic to get Australia back into the habit of winning, and to – for once – justify a few bevvies after a game. Moreover, the bowlers got adequate match practice that they otherwise may not have gotten.
But it must be weighed against the value of time in the middle when the fate of the Ashes likely hinges on whether our bowling attack has precious runs to bowl at.
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