Stricken Australian Test captain Michael Clarke stunned the cricketing world last night when he said he might never play again.
His bombshell statement was a dampener after one of the most magnificent Test matches won by the baggy greens over India.
The 33-year-old Clarke left the field yesterday afternoon at a critical stage with a new injury – a torn right hamstring, to go with his dickey left hamstring, and chronic back condition.
One thing for sure, Clarke will definitely miss the rest of this Test series at the Gabba, MCG and SCG, forcing the national selectors to name a captain.
There are only two genuine contenders – the current vice-captain Brad Haddin who took over during Clarke’s absence yesterday to lead the side to a great victory, or promote Steve Smith for the long term.
Haddin’s 37, a veteran of 60 Tests, Smith is 25 with 23 caps. Both deserve the highest sporting post in Australia.
But in the team’s best interests Smith offers the greater overall benefit, especially with Haddin’s wise counsel before he hangs up his gloves after a stellar career.
Smith played an integral part in Australia’s win at Adelaide with his 162* and 52* to continue his rich vein of run-getting to go with his outstanding fielding anywhere from the cordon to the country.
And hopefully Smith will continue to work on his leg-spin to complete his all-rounder qualifications.
But the most pleasing return was Nathan Lyon’s career-best match figures of 12-286 off 70.1 overs of patience off-breaks.
Especially as his previous seven visits to the bowling crease – three against South Africa and four against Pakistan – had netted 4-533, which meant Lyon was fighting for his Test career in Adelaide.
And he turned in a man-of-the-match performance, edging out Australian David Warner and Indian Virat Kohli who both scored a century in each innings – Warner 145 and 102, Kohli 115 and 141.
The Warner-Kohli double has only been matched twice in 2148 Tests.
England’s Denis Compton’s 147 and 103* with Australia’s Arthur Morris’ 122 and 124*, also in Adelaide, in 1947. And Sri Lanka’s Asanka Gurusinha’s 119 and 102 with Kiwi Andrew Jones’ 122 and 100*, at Hamilton, in 1991.
For Kohli, there was an added bonus in the record book.
The double was on his captaincy debut for India, matched only by Greg Chappell when he led Australia for the first time at the Gabba against the West Indies in 1975 with scores of 123 and 109*.
But this Adelaide Test didn’t deserve a Michael Clarke bombshell as its finale. It was played in the best of spirit, with the odd spat that will always surface at international level.
But both captains, and Brad Haddin when he took over, were hell-bent on winning that made the Test such a superb spectacle.
Those were the pluses, but there’s still the DRS problem that has to be solved.
The Indian Board must stop being so bloody-minded and pig-headed. Their pathetic excuse is the DRS is not fool-proof, and we all know that. But at least it stops, or limits, umpiring howlers – and there were plenty in Adelaide.
It’s time for the toothless ICC to stand up and be counted, to show some leadership for a change. The governing body must order India to accept the DRS, or make alternative options.
India is the only country ignoring the system, so the ICC can make them look even more stupid by adding a condition to the order. If India refuses to accept the DRS, give their allowed two unsuccessful challenges to the opposition, in this case Australia.
They would welcome four unsuccessful challenges per innings, batting or fielding. And that would leave India with egg on the face, and deservedly so.
Finally, this Test didn’t deserve any negatives, but ended up with two majors – Michael Clarke’s bleak future, and a dormant DRS.
Gregor
Roar Rookie
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Matt
Guest
Tell that to Sangakkara - stats a year or two ago now - was something like averages 60 normally, and only 40 when captain. Just the added distraction, the pressure. With Smith being in form is it worth the risk? We need all the in form batsmen we can get right now.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Yep, agree. A sensible solution.
jack
Guest
Er, you haven't been keeping up India IS the ICC
jack thomas
Guest
One thing i wanna know from australians is that "Do you even have any respect for the dominant australia era(1999-2007)?" It was a team of strong men who bullied everybody. But now, people are wanting the opposite(which is getting bullied by everybody). I don't understand pushing smith for captaincy. He's tiny, babyfaced & weak. He was bullied on 4th day of the test match by kohli, rohit & dhawan. The side will be a laughing stock in the cricketing world if the captain gets bullied. Its funny how the australian team has turned 180 degrees from being so strong to so weak. With smith being captain, it will be the weakest side. Its ok when someone(not captain) gets bullied by west indians like gayle who has a tough persona. But getting bullied by indians must be the lowest point for anybody. 15 years back, I never thought i would see lowest of australians & definitely not getting bullied by weak indians. I don't know whether any of you have seen the videos, but smith was bullied by kohli, rohit & others with statements like "shut up, stay in your limits, you are weak & u need teammates help(referring to warner separating kohli from smith), rohit shouting what? what? at smith...).. All this attack on him when smith has not even uttered a word. It was bullying to the core.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Haddin shud captain the side for this series but if he fails with the bat in the next 6 innings,he shud be dropped and smith be named as captain.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Appoint Smith as Captain, but Haddin in mentor role to aid him until his own retirement. Best thing possible.
Adsa
Guest
I would pick Shane Watson for the remaining Indian tests, he has captained Australia before. I think with Clarkes injury the selectors need to think about the no. 4 spot and who will bat there. With Watson & Haddin running the show selectors can speak to Smith about going up one place in the order as stepping up for the team. If Smith makes 4 his long term spot it will help with the Ashes defence.
josh
Guest
Bailey will captain Australia at the world cup if Clarke doesen't go
Crispy
Guest
Haddin last scored a half century in Sydney almost a year ago, he's 37, and there is a wealth of wicketkeeping talent in domestic cricket. His place isn't assured in the team and if it weren't for Clarke's injury and an admittedly very good keeping effort in the second innings there would be questions being asked about his continued selection. Giving him the captaincy could put the selectors in a difficult position if his form drops further. Steve Smith's time has come, give him the captaincy and some valuable time in the gig before next year's Ashes.
ELISA
Guest
Brad Haddin as Captain for now. Steve Smith would make an excellent Captain but for the future. Let him concentrate on his batting/bowling. Hope Michael Clarke does not retire in the near future.
art pagonis
Guest
understand your anxiousness to get steve installed...but Haddin must do Brisbane and then we can watch game for game and see what we do after India at World Cup time. I'd like to see Haddin and Wade in the World Cup. Right hand , left hand combo...and Steve could captain the World Cup team. We need to have our best squad after Mike Clarke is ruled out officially for the World Cup.
Bob Sims
Guest
Agree, Sideline. If Clarke isn't a goer, Smith should lead Australia into battle for the Ashes. If Haddin, Watson, Clarke and Rogers are gone, as likely, he will have a "new" team to lead, which will be to his advantage. Make him vc for this series to get some experience under his belt.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I'd give it to Hads for the short term, give Smith a year or two as vice captain before taking over. What a superb Test match, this was as a competitive game as you will see in some time. Pity the farcical umpiring played a part. There we're two Indian dismissals ( both caught ) that didn't go near the bat. Erasmus then would not give any LBW decisions despite two being absolutely plumb. It just reeked of evening up the ledger, just ridiculous. India need to get on board with DRS. This game was a great illustration of how Test match Cricket can be such a brilliant spectacle.
Gremlins
Guest
Smith has captained representative sides at lower levels. He has a shrewd head on his shoulders, and able to remain calm when the pressure is on. I noticed Haddin and Smith conferring yesterday, so his input must already be valued. Let Haddin concentrate on keeping and batting and keeping injury free.
MJB
Guest
Nope. Let Smith deputise for Haddin for a series or two. Ease him into the captaincy, don't thrust it upon him.
Steele
Guest
Warner must be regretting his boorish past behaviour, it may have cost him the top job.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
If Steve Smith is anything like Clarke, then he'll thrive on the captaincy and his form will go through the roof. There's no reason the captaincy has to be a burden.
John
Guest
Smith isn't ready and Clarke hasn't retired Hold to see if clarke recovers Let Hadden take the side till then No rush and why risk pressuring Smith when he's in such good form
jamesb
Guest
Haddin captained the side yesterday and did a wonderful job on short notice. He should captain the side for the remaining three tests. Steve Smith should be named vice captain. After that, its somewhat up in the air. Will Haddin be in the test side? Will Clarke return? I'm somewhat hoping for Haddin to retire and for Clarke to return