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.
MervUK
Guest
it is well known in the UK that atherton had given hick a certain amount of time to reach three figures, which he then extended, but eventually had to declare
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
There is another warm up game coming up. The team is more important then Hughes getting a century or not
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
There is another warm up game coming up. The team is more important then Hughes getting a century or not
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Tim, Hughes came away from this match with 126 runs to his name, for once out. He should be well satisfied with that. The phrasing in the third paragraph of your piece was brilliant. Hope we get some more as the Australians move on to Worcester.
Matt F
Roar Guru
We declared at 5/320. The odds of us getting 600+ from there would have been extremely remote. It's far more likely that we would have been all out for 400-450, which is neither here nor there really. Besides, as Hughes was the only recognised batsman who wasn't already dismissed, getting an extra 300 runs from him and the bowlers doesn't really send a massive statement. It would probably say that our bowlers were able to get cheap runs off a mediocre county attack. Obviously anytime you can score 600+ it's very impressive, but it's more impressive when the batsmen contribute 450 or 500+ instead of 350. While getting to 100 would have been good for Hughes, he may have been dismissed the next ball he faced anyway. Getting back to back 50's is a pretty good confidence boost as it is. A win on the other hand might just give some confidence to a team that has been battered repeatedly since India. Besides, declaring got us a second innings which gave the batsmen another chance, which seems to have worked pretty well given Cowan, Khawaja, Hughes and Haddin all made good contributions in the second innings.
Tim Whelan
Roar Rookie
I'm playing devil's advocate, but IMO batsmen racking up 600-650 would make a much bigger statement of 'We're back' than a simple win.
Jake
Guest
Good point, Don. I reckon the author would have written an article about how Clarke used the game as too much of a batting practise instead of a warm up match if he didn't declare.
Jake
Guest
One error and you whinge like a child. Get over it.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Fixed, thanks.
Bleed Green & Gold
Guest
When writting a article it helps if you get the facts right from the beginning, otherwise it makes the rest of your article look like dribble Australia played Somerset not Gloucestershire
Don Corleone
Guest
Damned if they do, damned if they don't.