Micheal Clarke: The Lone Warrior Micheal Clarke: The Lone Warrior Seldom can a batsman can make you wonder- “Is cricket all about class?” I say seldom because of the fact that traditional cricket is gradually losing its sheen due to the advent of the slam-bang format. I wouldn’t blame the organizers, for the format rakes in money, helping the game sustain on a long time basis. It has produced mixed results in the long run. Players are now confident of chasing huge targets in both ODI and tests. Totals of over 400 have been achieved over half a dozen times in the recent pasts and 300 looks like a tame target these days. Players rely more on switch-hits and scoops more than the traditional drives and lofts. Amidst this entire hullabaloo, there live a few cricketers who still stand rooted to the traditional way. They do what they know best, following their predecessors in their approach, paving the way for the newer generations and to inspire many more to take up the traditional way of playing the game. Michael Clarke is one among those traditionalists who gave up playing T20’s for the love of test matches. Clarke is one among the few purists who could be termed as one of the last of a dying race. There are many positives about his batting, his approach to his game but none stands out better than his stroke play which is straight out of a coaching manual. The natural grace, the poise, the stance and the fluidic movements make his batting all the more appealing. Michael Clarke, the only surviving member of Ponting’s brigade has been through a rough patch. Though he has been consistent with the bat, the story of his team says otherwise. Seven consecutive test losses, not to mention the deteriorating talent in his team has put him in a spot. But all that was forgotten as he took the field on Sunday against England. Having lost the Ashes in a humiliating fashion, Clarke was facing the ire from the fans back at home. He needed to have some substantial result on his hands before his departure and his innings proved that he was determined to take the opposition on single handed. Coming in to bat at number four, Clarke was in his elements right from the ball one. He batted beautifully, first with Aaron Finch, lending the much needed support to the dashing opener. Earlier on the day, Australia lost their opener Shaun Marsh for nought and Watson did not seem comfortable either. Clarke walked out to bat at the fall of Watson and he did seem like a man on a mission. Joining hands with Aaron Finch, Clarke played the role of a perfect anchor, working the ball and getting the quick singles. He gave excellent support to the aggressive Finch who was scoring at more than run a ball. Even when Finch departed for 45, Clarke did not lose the hold on the match and he joined hands with George Bailey and displayed some out of the world batting to put Australia on the driver’s seat. The way he kept pulling Finn, getting on the back foot the moment he dug the ball in, showed how prepared Clarke was for this battle. That was not all. He was up to the task of facing the spinners as he stepped out of the crease to loft James Tredwell time and again and unsettled his line and length. He was in full flow and was determined to give Australia something to fight for. Clarke has understood his responsibilities of leading the Australian team. Unlike the previous skippers, he does not have the luxury of a champion team and he needs to be more than competent to get the best out of them. Australia has gotten a strong lead by winning the second ODI and one more victory would assure them of an unassailable lead in the series. This is the best shot at seeking redemption before the return series and Clarke would make sure that he leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of glory./........................... .....................mitras.................
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:06:25 +0000
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