Jan 24 2011
Michael Clarke it begins
It has been a month or two so it is time for some Michael Clarke bashing.
Let’s be clear straight up (just for you TuPawz). Clarke can play in the One Day International (ODI) and the 20/Tenty Australian (TT) side untill the rapture. I couldn’t care less, as that form of the game is not what it is all about. The real game of cricket is Test Cricket and not all these airy fairy half assed versions they are putting on at the moment.
I am not saying that ODI and TT cricket should be stopped I am just stating that in terms of actual performance I do not care about this game. I do care however for Test Cricket and this is where my comments on Clarke come in to their own.
Clarke’s current career average is 46.49
Not terrible but not a superstar when you compare him to the likes of Dean Jones, Clive Lloyd, Bobby Simpson, Bill Lawry, Adam Gilchrist, Dougy Walters, Neil Harvery, Allan Border, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh, Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting.
Interestingly the heads of Steve Waugh, Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting were/are all DEMANDED by the Australian media. Yet their respective averages are all well above Clarkes.
The story continues….
Since the start of 2008 he has averaged 40.01
The average slump begins.
Since the start of 2009 he has averaged 37.91
A further slump.
The start of the 2009 Australian Summer lead to no improvement with his average dropping to 33.03 from then till now.
Coooooey….. Coooooooooeey.
And since the beginning of 2010 things have only gotton worse 31.38!!!
WTF??!!!!
From certain points of view this is an acceptable average. From my perspective for one of the “2010 Wisden Cricketers of the Year” to have a record like this is laughable.
It is time the Australian Media went into the same shark feeding frenzy they circled the aforementioned Waugh, Hussey and now injured Ponting with.
Clarke should not be in the team let alone be vice captain.
Wake up Australia!
His average is dropping which is not a good sign. Perhaps a few less late nights and a little more time in the nets is the answer?
He is very close to turning it around. Anyone who knows anything about cricket can see that. When he does you will be one of the many sudden Clarke fans I wager.
Rob please open your eyes you are embarrassing yourself. Clarke is in some of the worst form an Australian no. 4 has ever been in.
He averaged 21.44 in the ashes. As written, Wake up Australia! that is for you Rob.
This comment from the Sydney Morning Herald put it best.
Its a JOKE!
The Selectors are a JOKE!
Cricket Australia is a JOKE!
Our World cup Squad is a JOKE!
We have the best domestic League in the world but is it utilised, NO!
Sack the selectors if they cannot sack a player who SHOULD BE FINDING HIS FORM WITH NSW! And until pup is ready to come back they could of been blooding someone new who is in good form for his state?
DROP CLARKE UNTIL HE RE-LEARNS HOW TO BAT!
Is it a JOKE!?
Jayson | NSW – January 25, 2011, 11:25AM
As I said “Anyone who knows anything about cricket” can see that he is close to turning it around. You obviously do not know what you are talking about.
Guys, I”ll worry about the Clarke issue when I get this Braith one sorted. I have been in some serious discussions with the other leaders in the club and we all agree this is NOT helping our brand.
Some advice from me is that the game is bigger than the club and the club is bigger than the player. If he won’t play ball let him go.
Rob, I am noting a degree of arrogance in your tone and I do NOT like it!
Rob, SJ has a better chance of making a start for the broncos than Clarke has of turning the corner, he would probably get lost just turning the corner, his head is just not in it
On the money as per normal Woody.
Second prize goes to Iamamoron who is firing up at the only person in this world who has ever mildly agree with him. I would not take that Rob.
Woodless, are you prepared to now eat your words?
Bent, your target was incorrect!
Leave Rob and I out of your discussions. WE HAVE A HEALTHY BANTER AT TIMES AND THAT IS FINE.
Ah SJ, you are indeed a silly man. Would you like some bacon to go with the egg Michael Clarke has thrown all over your face?
And before you hide behind your “this wasn’t a test match” crap, you know as well as I do how important limited overs cricket is these days and how likely his recaptured form is to carry over into the 5 day game.
He’s shown his class off the field all season given the tough time he’s had (I can’t believe those dogs at the Gabba booed an Australian captain!!!) and his captaincy has been unbelievably good, including his decision to send Johnson in ahead off himself tonight, with a view to the world cup, rather than giving himself the chance for some flat track practice in a dead rubber.
Then he comes in and scores a thousand runs at a well over a run a ball in the biggest successful Aussie chase in history.
YOU IDIOT!!!!!
Well look how Mr Clarke went last night. Looks like someone found form as a certain someone suggested he would.
Well done Mr Clarke.
Awe come off it Rob, the top score for the game was almost twice what Clarke scored. The game didn’t have any pressure as the series has been decided and it was obviously a batters pitch, against a team that has sent several of its top line players home through injury. When he scores a hundred under pressure against the indian or pakistani teams then I’ll concede he’s back.
Fat Simon even SJ would have got 50 in last nights novelty event
That;s crap Woody and you know it. His was the second highest score of the game and at a good rate. It’s the second game in a row he’s been our top scorer too, so I’m not interested in this dead rubber bullshit.
When he was out of form I was happy to admit it (SJ can confirm that as he rang or text me after every bloody failure), now I’d like you doubters to return the favor…..
2nd= first of the losers
Keep grasping Woody, you’ll end up with one of those straws eventually.
Michael is a nice guy. That’s all I’ll say.
Woody is 100% right Fat Simon. The only grasping going on is the Australian selectors trying to retain their jobs after keeping Clarke in the side.
SJ
michael clarke is flamboyant. he looks sexy with this girl…..
but what i hate in him is that he leaves the indian bowlers scared punching off centuries
Ha! This is all bloody funny then isn’t it. I’m just about to sit back and watch the highlights from the second day of the Adelaide test.
HAHA
Who is the idiot now?
Did you enjoy Clarke’s 329 not out?