Michael Clarke

[meninblue]

Clarke's captaincy has to be under scrutiny for the sacking of the few players on disciplinary grounds. Indeed the defeats were comprehensive and very demoralizing , however, it is this time when the captain and coach has to guide the team and lead a fightback. Instead Clarke approves the coach's decision to sack few players and cause another issues. It is not wise to have a captain who does this in middle of tour. Action even if justified should have been taken after the series. Offcourse players too walk out of tours (Siddhu, Agarkar etc). So we have had this for a change.

[andy]

this indeed will be the toughest test of Michael Clarke's resolve and ability as a captain so far in his short time as captain.

[meninblue]

this indeed will be the toughest test of Michael Clarke's resolve and ability as a captain so far in his short time as captain.

Probably he had hindsight about how this tour would unfold.

Toughest test of my captaincy - Clarke
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-aus ... 04508.html

[mikesiva]

carrying the aussie side nowadays...such a shame that a class player is batting and captaining a poor side!

Michael Clarke's captaincy reminds me of Brian Lara's captaincy in more ways than one....

[GarlicJam]

Did Lara keep (or even improve) his form while cappy?

[greyblazer]

As a captain Lara averaged 57.83 and his overall average was 52.88. When he got going no one could match him.

[greyblazer]

Symonds gone, Katich thrown out, Punter and Hussey have retired. Finally Clarke will be left with Cowan and Phil Hughes who are mediocre

[greyblazer]

And yes Shane Watson. There must be some reason for so many players going out of the team. The Hussey one looks suspicious.

[GarlicJam]

As a captain Lara averaged 57.83 and his overall average was 52.88. When he got going no one could match him.

an impressive stat.

[yuppie]

And yes Shane Watson. There must be some reason for so many players going out of the team. The Hussey one looks suspicious.

Grey why do you think Hussey leaving looks suspicious? Hussey was the ultimate professional and a player who would be looked up to within the team. I really hope he did not leave due to differences with the captain.

I think Clarke is trying to make a statement here, and to be fair something needed to be done. Aus have been poor and too many players have been living of a reputation been granted to them by far greater players who achieved alot more than them and have now left the scene. Only one remains and he is captain.

Will it achieve the desired results, in the short term im not so sure. But i really would like to see that playing in the baggy greens means something to the players wearing it, of late i have got the feeling it does not mean as much as it once did to certain players.

Of the players to get the boot, Watson should have been dropped any way, MJ is old and had more chances than most(still on his day he aint bad to come into the team to replace someone in a one off test), and then there are the two players Australia will need in the future. A message has been sent, hopefully Pattinson and Khawaja will respond to this axing. Hopefully the whole team sees this as a kick up the back side and wakes them up. Was it the right way to do it, probably not. Is there more here then being said, almost certainly. Does it leave Australia with a hopeless unbalanced side for the next test and very little chance for a win, yes but that was a given before this happened

[greyblazer]

And yes Shane Watson. There must be some reason for so many players going out of the team. The Hussey one looks suspicious.

Grey why do you think Hussey leaving looks suspicious? Hussey was the ultimate professional and a player who would be looked up to within the team. I really hope he did not leave due to differences with the captain.

I think Clarke is trying to make a statement here, and to be fair something needed to be done. Aus have been poor and too many players have been living of a reputation been granted to them by far greater players who achieved alot more than them and have now left the scene. Only one remains and he is captain.

Will it achieve the desired results, in the short term im not so sure. But i really would like to see that playing in the baggy greens means something to the players wearing it, of late i have got the feeling it does not mean as much as it once did to certain players.

Of the players to get the boot, Watson should have been dropped any way, MJ is old and had more chances than most(still on his day he aint bad to come into the team to replace someone in a one off test), and then there are the two players Australia will need in the future. A message has been sent, hopefully Pattinson and Khawaja will respond to this axing. Hopefully the whole team sees this as a kick up the back side and wakes them up. Was it the right way to do it, probably not. Is there more here then being said, almost certainly. Does it leave Australia with a hopeless unbalanced side for the next test and very little chance for a win, yes but that was a given before this happened

You need to give concrete reasons to throw players out of the team, during the middle of a tour. A few minor breaches don't add up-to the kind of punishment that was dished out. When the management doesn't give concrete reasons for throwing out players, people will start to speculate

[andy]

Let's be honest though, if for some reason Clarke was identified of causing a lot of rucks and for some stupid reason he was axed...who would take over....there isn't anyone else, who could skipper the side..

[shankycricket]

No, he can't be axed, just needs to find a way to curb that ego and gell with the other seniors. He has apparently forced Hussey, Twatto and MJ (the only 3 seniors remaining after Punter's retirement) out. The Simon Katich episode is well documented too. Does he want to just boss over a young team? All speculations, of course but this is all a bit disappointing. Really gutted that Pattinson has been treated this way. Shame!

[andy]

Honeymoon period is over lol.

[shankycricket]

Oh yes and he has only himself to blame for this, in many ways, if the Hussey story is to be believed. I doubt they would've lost both the Tests and that too, by such margins, if Huss was there. People may say its just one player but then would we have won in India without Cook or without KP playing that knock at Mumbai? Not only are they missing Hussey's runs but also Clarke's oppurtunities of forming partnerships with a good batsman are quite substantially reduced.

Without wanting to sound cocky, I can see the Ozzies getting pounded this summer.