Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has defied his chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh, and his boss Cricket Australia as his hamstring injury rages on.
Marsh said Monday if Clarke isn’t running by Wednesday, then it can be safely assumed he won’t be playing in the Test match against India at the Gabba on December 4.
Cricket Australia has told Clarke he’s to play in a two-day game on Friday and Saturday against India in Adelaide to prove his fitness.
Clarke has virtually told both Marsh and Cricket Australia to get stuffed, he’s playing the second of two days for Wests against Parramatta in the Sydney district competition next Saturday.
“Over the last 10, 12 years I’ve been playing for Australia, I don’t think I’ve ever walked onto a field not being 100 per cent fit to perform.
“I would hope with my experience that the selectors, my teammates, Cricket Australia staff (all) respect my opinion,” was Clarke’s explanation.
Self-indulgent crap.
The only right Clarke has is to do as he’s told like every other first class cricketer in the country.
Clarke will never be bigger than the game, no matter what form he’s in – and right now his form has a huge question mark over it, let alone his fitness.
In his last 17 Test digs, Clarke has scored an unbeaten 161 against South Africa at Cape Town last March, and 47 against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi last month.
The other 15 Test digs in order – 22, 24, 23, 10, 6*, 10, 6, 23, 17*, 19, 1, 0, 2, 3 and 5.
Nothing to write home about, or reason to be so confident with those stats.
But Clarke reckons one afternoon in grade cricket will convince him if he’s fit enough for a five-day Test.
Delusional.
If Cricket Australia was fair dinkum about advising Clarke, you would think they would have told him to play for NSW against South Australia at the SCG starting today, just like Brad Haddin will do.
If Clarke can last a four-day Shield game, that’s far more conclusive than either a two-day friendly in Adelaide, or an afternoon in Sydney grade.
And none of those playing alternatives even touch on the hamstring injury. For those of you who have never suffered a hammie tear, let me tell you it’s no fun.
Not only does your leg go as black as the ace of spades, but running is totally out of the question, it’s a physical impossibility. Even walking, especially upstairs, is a painful exercise.
And let’s not forget the fact Clarke has had a hamstring tear three times in six weeks according to him, or three times in 12 weeks according to some pundits.
Whatever is more accurate only says one thing – Michael Clarke will be a liability for the Gabba, even if gets through Saturday afternoon.
He can’t have a runner, so what does he do when batting? Will he turn easy threes into hard-run singles?
Totally unacceptable. If it wasn’t so serious, this whole circus would be laughable.
Let’s talk realities, there’s no way the skipper will be fit enough for the Gabba, so get on with it, Rod Marsh, and name his replacement with Haddin as captain.
And while you’re at it Rod, how about an explanation as to why expressman Pat Cummins is not in the Test squad, nor playing for NSW?
Please don’t tell us he’s going to be another Phil Hughes, or Usman Khawaja, just to make daily net appearances instead of playing?
Matt
Roar Rookie
Could be more to do with the fact that none of the Australians can bat on those pitches. Didn't hear anyone complaining about Clarke's captaincy in South Africa or the Ashes. You really have to be one of the most one-eyed Clarke-bashers to criticise his ability as a captain
Ken
Guest
Me too. I agree CA can chalk this one up as another stuff up. along with the continued selections of Siddle and Lyon.
Chris Russell
Guest
Steve Waugh scored 100 on one leg. "I’ve spoken about it to guys who were there and he was nowhere [in terms of being fit to play] but he had that mentality that just said ‘I’m playing, I’m getting a hundred’. Literally on one leg" :Ed Cowan on Steve Waugh
Tom
Guest
The last four innings; 0,2,3,5. At least he's finally improving. By the end of the series he should be challenging himself to make a 20. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Don Freo
Guest
Clarke had what coming?...a crook hammy? Weird.
Ian
Guest
I think Clarke would show better leadership by being subject to the same rules as any other player rather than demanding special treatment for himself. It doesn't sit well with me when the captain/boss expects to be treated differently to the rest of the team.
Gav
Guest
If I was Rod Marsh, and for that matter any of the othe selectors, and Clarke pulled up lame......I'd be expecting to be called into the Chairman of Selectors or CEOs office to explain myself. What are they going to say......"well James he told us he was ok"!!!!!! Sorry gents this is professional sport, the board room is bigger and badder than what it used to be in the days of Tugga, AB and Chappelli! If Clarke can't get passed the Physio I doubt his going anywhere in the selectors mind. I'll take the opposite point of view to most.....Clarke has had this coming for a long time. Very glad to see the selectors have pulled the reins on him, I'm sure Simon Katich will have a grin of satisfaction on his face.
twodogs
Guest
Clarke had become petulent and the selectors (read Pat Howard) will not tolerate it.
twodogs
Guest
Pat Howard
twodogs
Guest
Answer in a nutshell Sheek?........... Pat Howard.
twodogs
Guest
But James, take look at him. He's as fit as ever. Same could be said (ever more so) about Harris and yet he's straight in! Liability wise I'd swap Harris for Cummins, as good ss Rhino is, he's not young.
Jo M
Guest
He's listening to the Australian physio and medics, that is who he is listening to. Kountouris ruled him out of hard running on Wednesday, not Clarke.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Well for starters, political correctness is really institutionalised politeness, for better or for worse. Secondly, are you seriously thinking politicalisation of the selection process is a new thing?!?
Don Freo
Guest
Sheek...you lose interest in cricket because of its administrators? You probably only had a passing interest in the first place. Cricket transcends the people who might disappoint you.
Don Freo
Guest
This bloke, Lord, has not had a worthy sports comment for the past 5 years...probably more. Trying to be hard hitting but doesn't know enough. Get out of the bar and watch some sport, David.
sirrahn
Guest
Yes. But would any of those guys have gone straight to the media and contradicted what the selectors had just announced? Maybe he lacks some of the nous or tact that they had.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
don't always agree with you sheek but I'm a 100% on this one. The bl**dy world is going mad.
Scuba
Guest
Not quite Paul, it's about David's man crush on Haddin and his desire to see him as captain.
Shortfineleg
Guest
1. While Clarke would be held responsible, the team wears the consequences. 2. He can say what he likes about his condition in taking the field, but he was obviously bound to the crease and hampered in batting in the UAE. 3. Why is he being questioned - see point 2. 4. Harris is a great example of doing the right thing to prove fitness to self and others.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah, Mark Waugh's comment was revealing, and it should have been allowed to stand as truth, rather than being clarified with the corporate BS from Cricket Australia. CA has been treating fans like mushrooms for a very long time now, and the disconnect from fans and team only continues to widen with high-handed, insider moves like this that are baffling to anyone outside of the media department at Jolimont.