from_the_stands wrote:There is no doubt that Clarke has been a polarising figure in Australian cricket, but never-the-less, was also one of the finest batsmen the game has seen.
Toby F wrote:Whatever whining people like to have, watching Clarke and Ponting batting well in a test innings together was always a treat. Pity there wasn't more of it.
sussexpob wrote:Not sure I can agree on the point Bhaveshgor makes about Clarke playing spin. In 2012 Clarke came close to ending Ashwin's fledging career, Ashwin got that much of a canning. And places like Adelaide the ball spun, Lyon picked up Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid and Sehwag in one innings IIRC. Clarke made over 200 in that test vs Ashwin.
I think it goes without saying that players struggle more when the ball turns. Even Indians do. Take 2001 at Mumbai, raging turner, second innnings the master Indian batsman even struggled against Mark Waugh bowling at one end. And in the tour after that when Warne finally took a 5-for in India at Chennai, I believe Kumble took something like 14 wickets in that game, with the rest of India's wickets coming Harbi.
Batting in India in this period was a real mix of conditions. Slow, low pancakes where Indian batsman and away batsman piled up runs, and then turner pitches were a lot of batsman on both sides struggle. Even Mumbai in 2006 when England toured turned so much, Shaun Udal won the game for England, including making Tendulkar look average for a bit.
Take Tendulkar. Averages much lower in general on India's traditional venues, but places like Nagpur that have turned into bowler death traps, he averages huge numbers on. At places like Eden Gardens (45) his record improves with time as the new groundsman made that pitch dead. At Delhi his record isnt that hot. Wankede despite being a home ground he averages well under his career record. Ahmedabad too.
clubcricketeradi wrote:He was a top class batsman. At certain point of time he was worlds best. Technically he had a good control of forearm while playing on the up strokes. The elbow position complimented it.Only Jaddu troubled him as he picked his wicket 5 times in one tests series versus us in India.
His fielding too was incredible.
Bowling wise i cannot forget his 6 wicket hail in test versus us at Mumbai. He won that test match with his bowling.
As a captain although he did make couple of blunders, but overall he was succesful considering the win:loss ratio. The worst match could be the test in South Africa where his team gof out for 71?
I hope his autobiography is as good as his cricketing skills were.
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