This is not a happy article for Australian cricket. But perhaps we are numb enough with recent events in the game, excusing an emphatic win, to deal with it.
Michael Clarke should look towards retirement.
Not because he is out of form, but because the body cannot do what the mind wills it to. This is the unfortunate truth for Clarke.
There is no great time for a cricketer to end his career, as they would prefer to play forever. Circumstances dictate, however, that this is never the case. Time is the great leveller and perhaps Clarke’s best time to retire is now.
It must be said he has had an outstanding career, with 8432 runs at an average of 50.79 and high score of 329*, which I was present for and thought was one of the best innings I’ve ever seen.
However, this cannot continue. Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s most celebrated captains and best batsmen, made a mistake in the final years of his career – playing past his prime. He did not go out on a high, and in the end the public was happy to see him go, in some respects.
Over the last three weeks Michael Clarke has endured more than his fair share of pain. Emotionally, he would be exhausted. Physically, his body is telling him that he can no longer perform at a first class level for cricket, at least consistently.
The problem is that at 33 he isn’t getting younger. He has a degenerative, not regenerative back and his hamstring injuries have not aided. In the last week during the Test match he had to go off the field for each injury. This does not bode well for the future.
Clarke can leave on a high. He got a century in a Test match that meant the world to him and in a fine innings of grit and determination. The kind of innings that you could retire on. The kind that perhaps he should.
He performed for a mate and honored him. This is something that he would have desired to do since the wave of mourning past him.
We have seven months until the Ashes begin. If Clarke doesn’t play for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series, that makes it six months.
Clarke’s replacement is before our eyes but the problem is that two emerge – Steve Smith and David Warner. I suggest that Haddin take on a mentor role to one of these two men to prepare them for a long era in captaincy. Of the two, I suggest Steve Smith as he seems to have some experience with NSW. Warner is best served as he is now, a bullish opener that can intimidate the opposition.
Mitch Sabine
Roar Rookie
I think you've definitely got a point, but unless he really cannot continue I can't see Clarke giving up. I'd love to see him play on for another three or four years, really guide Australia back to the top and finish with over 10000 runs because he deserves it. but unfortunately as he's said, it may not be physically possible. I've got dodgy lumbar discs and some days I struggle to do much at all, so buggers me how he managed to score a Test match hundred.