Michael Clarke stunned the cricket world when he said he might have played his last game after tearing his right hamstring in the first Test against India at Adelaide.
It was a new injury in addition his previously torn left hamstring, and his chronic back problem.
Since then Steve Smith was appointed to captain the baggy greens for the remaining three Tests at the Gabba, MCG and SCG.
In the meantime, Clarke underwent surgery in Melbourne on his new injury, which has been rated a success.
So much so, Clarke has lobbed up as Channel Nine’s newest commentator at the current MCG Test, and will be on duty again for next week’s SCG Test.
Last night, Tim Gilbert reported Clarke has described Smith’s captaincy at the Gabba as outstanding, but he’s looking forward to taking back the captaincy in the New Year.
Hold the phone.
First of all there’s no guarantee Clarke will be fit enough to even play in the early part of 2015, and even if he passes a fitness test, he will be so short of match play he would be a liability.
That’s the cold truth, but the situation is far deeper than that.
Former Test skipper Ian Chappell was the first to make it very clear Steve Smith is now the Australian captain, and should remain so even if Clarke makes a comeback.
I totally agree with that suggestion, and every day more and more cricket fans are convinced Steve Smith is, and will be, the better captain.
The 25-year-old is a breath of fresh air. He’s relaxed, and even in these early days, he’s proved he was born to lead.
Since he took over, Smith has scored 133, a run-out 28, and yesterday’s unbeaten 72 to take his calendar year Test total to 1012 runs at an average of 84.33.
Included in that total are four centuries, and five half-centuries to be the sixth highest run-getter in the world.
Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara has scored 1486 at 82.56 in 2014, with a top score of 319 among four centuries and nine half-centuries.
Pakistan’s Younis Khan scored 1213 at 75.81. A top score of 213 among six tons and two half-centuries.
Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Matthews with 1201, top score 160, with three tons and six half-centuries.
Kiwi skipper Brendan McCullum with 1164 at 72.75 and a top score of 302 among four centuries.
And teammate David Warner’s 1096 at 68.70, with a top score of 145 among six tons and three half-centuries.
So on the performance count, Smith is more than pulling his weight, and yesterday’s gritty batting came on top of one of the biggest sporting howlers of the year.
James Sherry was the MC at the MCG opening ceremony, introducing the two sides – “Please welcome the two sides, India captained by MS Dhoni, and Australia led by Michael Clarke”.
What rock has Sherry been hiding under for over a week?
The howler was highly embarrassing for Smith who had been looking forward to the biggest day of his life, leading Australian onto the mighty MCG in front of 50,000-plus fans.
Without doubt, one of the biggest days on the Australian sporting calendar.
To his credit, Smith showed no signs of being peeved as he heartily sung the national anthem. But he had every right to be filthy with the MC suit.
I couldn’t watch every ball yesterday, but I never heard the Channel Nine commentators, including Clarke, make an apology to Smith.
The howler was inexcusable and in poor taste.
That Steve Smith finished the day unbeaten on 72, says volumes for his right to lead the Australians.
Hopefully for the next decade.
aggi
Guest
I personally have a great regard for Michael Clarke and his captaincy. He has shown great leadership both on and off the field. He is positive and I think has been inspirational. I think Steve Smith has done a wonderful job as a 'stand-in' but I think that strategically, Clarke is a better Captain. He declares when the opposing team still has a chance to win if they are good enough which brings more excitement to tests matches. Steve has not yet got the same degree of confidence but will be an excellent Captain when Michael retires.
John
Guest
Even grabbing Clarkes throat ?????????? Are you for real ??? I think Katich was dealt with severely for that and was way out of line doing that to Clarke . The fact that anyone could possibly take Katiches side or think badly of Clarke is amazing . As it is Katich didn't play much more test cricket and rightly so .perhaps the power that be also saw the grabbing of Clarkes throat unacceptable as well
Maggie
Guest
Five hours after the match had finished? Sheek, you're not old-fashioned, you're medieval.
sheek
Roar Guru
I'm old fashioned. I reckon when the team is 'in session', the team comes first. Plenty of time, plenty of time, to catch up with the partner afterwards, & at other times. I approve of Katich's behaviour in the circumstances, even grabbing Clarke's throat, assuming that is true. Lessons need to be passed down generation to generation, even team mate to team mate. Sometimes it can get ugly. But it must be done. For the benefit of both the individual & the group.
Clavers
Guest
Agree with all your comments about Smith except the generalised conclusion. The 30-something selections sometimes do work out. Mike Hussey was not picked till he was 30 and he averaged 51.52. Darren Lehman was recalled at the age of 32, having previously played five Tests and averaged 28. In the next nine Tests he played he scored five centuries, a 96 and two other half-centuries. I'm sure we find name plenty of players who were selected young but never succeeded. The aim is to identify the best players, whatever age they are.
Clavers
Guest
I think the only way that Clarke will not be the captain if and when he returns to the team is if he voluntarily relinquishes it. He is the incumbent, Smith has explicitly been appointed as temporary captain only and Clarke's record as a player and as captain gives no grounds for the selectors to take the baton off him. Given that Clarke has said he looks forward to resuming as captain, I think that is exactly what will happen. In passing though, let me give a rap to Smithy not just for his captaincy but also for racking up a career Test average of 51.26 just 18 months after his recall to the team during the India tour. He now sits (just) ahead of Clarke, Border, Steve Waugh and Matt Hayden on the all-time Test average list.
John
Guest
Maybe someone needed to straighten Katich out as well seems to me grabbing your teammate by the throat because he wants to go home to his girlfriend after hours of celebrating is probably a little inappropriate.Did Clarke actually have an attitude problem or was he just not into the great Ausssie tradition of having to skull a hundred beers with your mates after a victory and go home smashed ? Not sure of the circumstances but sounds like Katich was the one with apt he anger problem ,as for Mo Matthews saying the only thing Katich did wrong was not punch Clarke ??????!!!!???? Really ???? That's a great message to send to our kids ,now he's on 2ue with Chappell who also obviously doesn't like Clarke covertly ragging on the current skipper who is Clarke . Feels like Clarke being a bit of a metro new agey guy really rubs some of the old dinosaurs like Chappell ,Matthews and Lord up the wrong way .These guys are also the type who would have had no clue how to handle the passing of a great mate like Phil Hughes.Clarke has performed on and more importantly off the field like a champion and a great example of being able to excel at sport at the highest level and also courageously be totally vulnerable and show his emotions to the Australian public .Now that is a great example to our children . As for grabbing someone by the throat for not wanting to drink a hundred beers well I don't think that's ever appropriate.
Bearfax
Guest
Xav, its important not to generalise. There are several permutations noted in what we Australians think of Clarke and his abilities. There are those fully supporting him and wanting him to remain Captain. There are those like myself who admire Clarke both as Captain and batsman, who think because of ongoing injuries and need for stability, its best to select someone else to lead but have Clarke in the team whenever possible. Then there are those who think Clarke has reached his used by date generally. And finally there are those critical of Clarke's captaincy style and want him replaced on that basis. All variations have been put forward on these forums and all seem to me to be Australians forwarding those variations. In fact I suggest most on these forums think highly of Clarke as player and captain, but some of us think it best for the team that he step aside from the captaincy role, but remain as a batsman when he is available.
Mark
Guest
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iXML-9IzSDg
Mark
Guest
Agree except he is most definitely not at the peak of his batting powers. Clearly he is still one of the best in the world but his absolute best days are behind him.
xavialonso
Guest
I feel sorry for Clarkie. No matter what he accomplishes in the game both as a batsman and captain, he never gets any respect for it. Clarkie might discover a cure cancer to and people would still find a reason to hate him. Im not an Aussie, but Im disappointed in the way some Australians have treated an absolute legend of Australian cricket, considering all that the great man has put into the team. Such a shame.
sheek
Roar Guru
Actually John, I was discussing the Katich-Clarke incident with friends & we agreed it was probably the best thing to happen to Clarke. We can thank Katich for straightening Clarke out on a few things, because back then Clarke probably did have an "attitude." It's not a bad story. I doubt anyone can say they weren't a 'dickhead' to some extent when they were younger. We all learn, or hopefully, we eventually learn to be better people.
Baz
Guest
Yeah, it is awesome hoe Mark Waugh refers to cricket fans as nuffies.....
Jarijari
Guest
Lordy's too old to retire.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
"Clarke-lite" is not a bad way of describing it.
John
Guest
It's fairly obvious that Lord and Chappell don't like Clarke and we can add groovy man Mo Matthews to the trio all wanting Clarke replaced .Sorry boys he's still the captain and whatever you have against Clarke makes no difference . I remember Mo saying The only thing Simon Katich did wrong when he grabbed Clarke by the throat because God forbid he wanted to go home to his girlfriend after hours of celebrating after a test win , was that he didn't punch him . Sorry there are a few dinosaurs about that don't like that Clarke is a little different to you but he showed his courage and worth as a test captain by the way he handled the tragic passing of Phillip Hughes his mate ,and the way he gutsed it out in the first test and scored a 100 on one leg in honour of Hughes again . Smith will have his time , Perhaps Lordy Chappelli and Mo should retire their views are becoming a little dated .
Antiwhippy
Guest
Seriously though, smith's captaincy is basically clarke-lite. Not that it's a bad thing. But trying to make it like smith's captaincy is some great revelation is hilarious.
Jo M
Guest
Well said. Arrogant? Definitely not. Bad attitude? Again, definitely not. Someone else called him self centred, also not true. Jimbo, his wife is gorgeous and they are very happy together so I don't get the nasty comments about her either. Smithy is a great kid, but crap all over Clarke? Doubt it.
The Bush
Roar Guru
What a classless comment. The bloke has put his body on the line for this team time and again and has lead with guts, gile and ingenuity with a bunch of very average cricketers and he's made them number one. But instead he's arrogant and has a bad attitude? As for the rubbish about his wife - how would you like that said about your family?
sheek
Roar Guru
I find the ongoing discussion surrounding Clarke's return to the captaincy, well, perplexing. Normally I would find myself agreeing with most things Chappelli & Lordy say, but on this occasion, I find myself taking up a slightly different stance. I think Jameswm has pretty well said it all in his contributions. There are two important things to consider here: 1. Clarke has not retired. 2. Clarke has not been out of the team long-term (12-plus months). So far, he has only missed two tests, & might miss three. Clarke is still the first-choice captain for Australia in tests, anyway. How incredibly lucky are we that Australia has solved its succession plan & can rest easy in the knowledge that Smith will be a wonderful leader when Clarke eventually retires within the next two years.