Captain Clarke has more than one contest to win

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

It's a tricky one for the Aussie selectors. The last thing they need right now is a skipper whom some of his colleagues in the dressing room think is a bit of a poser. It could turn out to be a repeat of England's disastrous KP experience. Similarly, skippers selected only on the basis of 'leading by example', eg: Botham and Flintoff, even though both undoubtedly had the support of the players, haven't lasted long for England.

They may regret building Clarke up as the skipper-in-waiting; I suspect there'll be more nerves in the office than on the field.


On the other hand, if Australia win the game and square the series, he'll be a hero and probably get another five years at the helm.

Seemingly without any "players in waiting" it's no real surprise that there's a dearth of potential captains. Who else was on the list? The wait for a better player could be a long one, but I recall reading that in the past it was common for Australian captains to be appointed on short terms (a sort of "rolling-tenure").

Regarding the anthem disagreements, Tom, I'm a bit confused. Do they only sing it when they're winning?

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Australian victory in fifth test will mostly depend on team selection that what type of team they will select for the final test. It they again go for two allrounders then it will be difficult for them to win the last test match. They must not convert their test team into a one day team. Here I again insists that they should drop watson down the order probably at no 6 and select a proper test opener like langer or Hyden. One must not forget that Australian previous success at test level under the captaincy of Taylor, Waugh and Ponting largely owned to their selection of a proper test opening batsmans. Watson may be very good for one dayers opening but test match or a test innings required a different skill. Though Watson score 1 or 2 fifites in the series but he was not able to convert his fifties to big hundreds like previous Australian opening batsmans. A good opening partnership will ease the pressure on Ponting when he come to bat.
Also at the moment I am not in favour of Smith inclusion in the test team. He is very energetic, having good fielding capabilities but he is not a batsman or allrounder on which Australian team depends at no 6 or 7. What Australia need is 6 proper batsman, batting wicket keeper and 4 front line bowlers.

I´m not sure I´d have Clarke as skipper. As it´s a stand-in job, I´d sooner go for someone in form. Probably Haddin, in this case... But then, I´m English, so I´m delighted to see them turning to someone out of form.

However, I´m now intrigued to hear what kind of tattoo you have.

A friend of mine, having been in some form with the bat, showed up one day with that day´s date inked onto his shoulder. He claimed it was to celebrate his maiden century, which he was convinced would be struck on that day. It wasn´t. In fact, he went for a golden duck.

That evening he proposed to his girlfriend (who hadn´t seen the tattoo yet), so he could claim it was to commemorate that particular event. But we know better...

As someone currently in Australia, Clarke is certainly unpopular - the papers all seem to be against his temporary appointment. I think the more popular option would be Haddin but at 33yo, he is not a long term choice.

The administrators and selectors seem fairly rigid and unswerving in their views, Clarke has obviously been groomed for the role for some time and the selectors aren't about to change their mind this close to the next test.

Maybe the responsibility will spur him on but personally I can't see it. The Aussies are certainly in a mess right now and with the press vilifying the team and the selectors on daily basis I don't see any reason why we can't wrap the series up with a win in Sydney - weather permitting.

Steady on you guys. Comment #4 didn't seem that bad. He only seemed to be drawing attention to how easy it was for the first poster to circumvent the house rules by the use of a little creative-English.

much like selecting Michael Beer, Cricket Australia have played their cards too early in bringing Michael Clarke to be "the next captain" (maybe it's the name Michael??) and feel the need to see it through. The public opinion means nothing when a team starts winning, but is Michael Clarke really a great tactician and a captain? As far as I am aware he hasn't captained NSW (his state) for some time (if ever) and I think that's an issue. Cricket Australia should be looking at form players who have leadership experience who Clarke is not in either of those at the moment.

Who should be captain? Well, there is a massive hole in Australia and I feel they missed a trick with Cameron White, but that's their issue to deal with. Cricket Australia do not show the necessary flexibility for the current situation as they still believe their team to be below where they should be so, and their could be a number of different captains over the next few years until they work everything out.

What has happened to the great Aussie tradition of picking your best/in form eleven and then picking the captain?

Seems to have gone out the window.

Australian selection policy is mirroring that of England in the 90's and the results will be similar.

In full flow MC is a joy to watch and times the ball beautifully making shots look effortless and his future as Aussie test captain seemed a racing certainty.

But Ponting decided to carry on as captain while Clarke returned to form and the window of opportunity for natural sucession closed. Similar to when Flintoff was chosen over Strauss to cover for Vaughan.

Now the cards are stacked against an easy transition as Clarkes' off field reputation has suffered and he will be fighting on two fronts to prove he is worthy of the Aussies ultimate honour.

Maybe, just maybe he will pull it off and be a tougher skipper as a result. Could Ponting do a Nasser and return to the ranks before retirement it may not be an easy thing to do but I think the longer this decision is put-off the harder it will be for the Aussie team to rebuild for the long-term.

Seems I cannot make a comment without it being deleted. Anyway if Ponting resigns/or is stripped of his captaincy, then I doubt he will continue to be in the team. There is in Aussie tradition of not letting captains play after they have left the position. Is this the last of Ponting we have seen? I hope so.

Clarke is an unpopular figure for sure. Out of form, and more concered about his celebrity status than his cricket. Shane Watson/Cameron White would make better captains. Not taking Cameron White for the Ashes was the biggest mistake Australia made.

#9 I agree - why is Cameron White not in the team when they pick people like that Smith bloke ?

White was captain of Victoria when he was 20 and did pretty well.

Mind you Victorians often seem to get overlooked for selction for some reason. I'll never understand why Brad Hodge never played more than 5 tests.

SimplyZola, I would guess someone complained about your first comment, although I didn't find it offensive - thought it summed up what you were trying to say perfectly in fact!

The general consensus in the papers in Oz is that Cameron White is rather a one trick pony, obviously a good one day player but not a good enough player to necessarily be an captaincy option in test matches.

Sorry Tom, my point is not about Clarke but KP. Am I the only one who's stunned by KP's statement that thé Strauss/Flower partnership is essentially down to his actions? The BBC headline on this site sounds awful for a start. The article including quotes from KP justify it however. Is this really the best time for such details to come out? I am sceptical of this latest KP self-promotion. Like the speeding offence I think it raises questions about KP's mentality. At least Strauss had the sense to wear a false beard when he pulled a 150mph wheelie on the Ducati that Dame Edna Everage lent him.

Lastly, someone recently complained about my use of French characters. I live in France in the mountains. My aging i-phone is my only contact with cyberworld. I have nô wifi source. Predictive text is in French unsurprisingly. To go back and ré-édit is all but impossible. I aim to be understood. I do try to undo the French stuff.

most interesting blog of the series this one.

you're definitely in trouble when you struggle to find a viable captain due to lack of candidates and / or the people you want having their places at risk.

there's no doubt that clarke is one of the best batsmen in the world. few who know cricket will dispute this. but clarke, maybe 5 years ago and over the past year and a half, has had extremely poor runs of form to say the least.

australia have chopped and changed like crazy this series, a tell-tale sign of a team in trouble - exactly what england were doing in their old days of being dominated, whereas these days under flower we are so much more patient and confident in our players to produce. it tells. they had faith in cook when so many were calling for his head. they've also shown good faith in bresnan. our team now develops slowly and naturally and it's great to see.

my point is that clarke is a quality player and not only deserves his place in the team, but should be kept in it for some time yet, and if ponting doesn't return as captain the next one should naturally be clarke. i also hope that 3 ashes losses out of 4 will, despite his shortcomings, not change the general opinion of ponting as one of australia's great players, and a very good captain.

... to add to what i was saying - australia could do with a bit of stability and clarke is more than good enough to be at the centre of that

@16

"there's no doubt that clarke is one of the best batsmen in the world. few who know cricket will dispute this"

Really? Recent form and his recent inability to control his off-field affairs which have affected his game TOTALLY disputes this. Ability and talent is one thing, the ability to harness and focus that and produce results - to be one of the best batsmen in the world - is something completely different.

@18 i'm going on michael clarke's career test average of 47, that's a world class figure and higher than any england player bar pietersen, whom he narrowly trails, and trott, whose figures will calm down as his career progresses. he's also averaged above 50 in 2006, 07, 08 and 09, and with a 2010 average of pushing 37 i'm sure every player in the world would take that if it counts as a slump!

@5

You miss the point spectacularly.....there is a simple reason they can't drop Watson to 6 and open with a "langer or hayden". There isn't one. Why else would they have gone back to Hughes?

This is an extremely average Oz team and if we fail to win the series now I really think that says a lot more about how good England are than how bad Australia are. It is imperative we win in Sydney to continue our progression. I for one could not understand the over the top celebrations at the MCG. We've WON nothing. Yet.

@20 "I for one could not understand the over the top celebrations at the MCG. We've WON nothing. Yet. "

no series win in a quarter of a century down under, we still haven't banished that ghost yet! retaining the ashes is a huge milestone, but an even bigger one is waiting, and the won we really wanted too.

just imagine how they'll laugh at us, and how stupid that mcg dance will look in future years, if the aussies square the series and the wait goes on! remember, we aren't that much better than them. i still maintain the two sides are quite evenly matched - and with the dramatic ebbs and flows of the series so far england will have to be cautious against another aussie backlash.

An excellent summation, Tom, of the predicament Australia find themselves in as they prepare for a long-term change in leadership.

By common consent, Ponting will not be remembered as Australia's most tactically astute skipper. However, for large parts of his tenure, he did not need to be because he led by example and could call on the likes of Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath.

Clarke has never convincingly translated his obvious talent into consistent run-scoring in all conditions. If he can do that, he actually possesses a sharper cricket brain than Ponting.

You can draw comparisons with Pietersen: a commercially-driven and flamboyant talent with a penchant for publicity. Pietersen's approach cost him and it may well prove to be Clarke's undoing too.

If that were to happen, Clarke and Australia would have missed a trick. With their talent pool sparse, the Aussies need strong, astute leadership, which an in-form Clarke can provide.

@19

The question is, is the slump permanant or temporary?

Off-field issues have had a large bearing on his form slump and his ability as a person to deal with them will determine the answer.

Sorry but he would'nt make a third World XI right now, and he is far from in the right frame of mind to be captain of a countries cricket team.

The Australian selectors have got this completely wrong.

I too think that the biggest problem lies with the selectors. Australia potentially have a good test team, admittedly not a great one by their standards but good enough to certainly be competitive. Their problem has been too many players coming in and out of the side, the players coming in not given time, players given the boot bought back. The team, in my eyes, have been undermined by their own selectors, who have acted in fickle, knee-jerk manner.

I still believe England would have won the Ashes but Oz would/should/could have made a much better fist of things and maybe shown their dwindling supporters a ray of light or at the very least a reason to stay in the stadium.

But hey it was great viewing xD

Name a captain Tom, and I'll find you some doubters. Surely the key is the team, and if it is a good one then finding the captain from amongst them is almost too easy. And there lies the rub, since Ponting is the natural leader of the current Australian bunch. Without him Australia's nagging hamstring is pulled until it is distorted, distressing and in need of urgent remedial treatment. But there isn't any time.

So it is a hardly relevant to debate Michael Clarke's credentials. If Australia want to prevent the embarrassment of 3-1 then they have to make the best of whatever luck comes their way. Will England continue to dominate in Sydney or will there be another Perth like blemish as the team continues to hone the ruthless streak it found in T20 for test cricket?

So the question shouldn't really be about Clarke at all. It should be about England's capacity for the kill. Bookmakers will give long odds against Australia salvaging something in Sydney but it is, after all, just one game.

As Ive said on Tom's other blogs, the Perth Test was an anamoly, where the England batsman playing on a bouncy pitch that they have hardly played on anywhere else (inc. the tour match against WA where the wicket was made dead and slow purposely) were'nt able to handle it.

Only one other pitch in the world is anything close to Perth and thats Durban.

Again the Aussie tradition is to pick the best #11 then name the captain.

The selectors have gone away from this tradition here as there is no way Clarke should have been picked to play in the 5th Test on form and current state of mind, evermind captain the team.

Hussey should have been given the job for this Test. Then they could review where they wanted to go before the next Test series in August 2011.

But - as an England supporter - I agree on the "can England kill off Australia" issue. I want to see if they have that killer instinct because they won't get close to #1 in the world without it.

Wouldn't surprise me if Cricket Australia were courting Shane Warne behind the scenes - not for this series but the next and beyond. I think he might come back for the captaincy...and would be pretty darn good at it too. You need a real legend to sort those boys out!

I haven't heard Hussey mentioned much? Surely as the in form guy (albeit recently), abundance of experience and a well spoken manner would have him as the prime candidate?

The Clarke appointment smacks of Australian Cricket moving to fulfill a prophecy for the sake of it.

My view is that your captain has to be credible and have respect from the rest of the team and that means having a track record as well as ability to score runs and captain a team.

I can't believe that no-one has talked about the other Hussey - David!! I watched him a few times last year - he was the best batsman, quality fielder and captained the side (in 20/20 admittedly).

Australia do need an opening batsman but they would definitely improve by having the Hussey brothers together

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

clarke is being chosen as the stand in skipper purely and simply because he is the vice captain.
cricket australia really have no choice other than to give him the captaincy - how could they bring in or select another player as captain and leave the vice captain in the side? it would make make a mockery of the squads hierarchy.
its all being blown out of proportion anyway - the series is lost as far as they are concerned - they havent regained the ashes so a draw is the same as a defeat and even if they went and won the final test, the press and public wouldnt change their opinion of how bad the side is. clarke is stepping in for one single game and then they have 8 months to wait until they play another test - plenty of time to take stock of things and decide where the future leadership of the team lies.

Perhaps this is a way to get rid of him in the long run. Once you are captain you either survive or disappear...

@31........

"cricket australia really have no choice other than to give him the captaincy - how could they bring in or select another player as captain and leave the vice captain in the side? it would make make a mockery of the squads hierarchy."

No other choice?

Why leave him in the side?

He's been the second worst performing batsman (after Ponting) and should have been dropped on form and mental state.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

@33

well you kind of missed the point and then answered it yourself there didnt you?

they cant select clarke as captain if he is dropped can they? so - if they dont drop him he HAS to be captain in pontings absence because he is the current vice-captain. if they drop him THEN they can consider someone else but until they do that they have no choice.

Just for the record, if I was picking the Aussie team for the 5th Test it would have been:

Watson
Marsh
Khawaja
M. Hussey (c)
Ferguson
D. Hussey
Haddin
Hauritz
Siddle
Cameron
George

12th - Smith

Good and interesting article, didn't know all of Clarke's baggage. I'm still confused why Watson doesn't appear to be in the mix for captain is most peoples eyes. He's been pretty OK with the bat (for an Australian! haha), allrounder, should be there for a while and he is the one that seems to pop out most to talk to the press when the going gets tough. I think a bit of responsibility might have that 'Beckham' effect and make him a more mature player and he might start turning those 50s into 100s. My Australian friend is convinced the Oz selectors have a NSW bias making them overlook Cameron White. I'm very surprised (and glad!) he isn't currently in the team, where he could have been a captain possibility.
Anyway, this last test is very important; we mustn't arrogantly count our chickens yet. Australians might well play with a new freedom with the bat, feeling the big pressure is now off and (despite retaining the Ashes) an Aussie win will be mighty deflating ...although it is hard to see it happening (but thought that in Perth!). Anyway C'mon England!!!

As a Pom living in Brisbane, I think that Clark has long been regarded as a bit flaky, not someone you would want to rely on when the team is in trouble and little obvious leadership potential. I expect England to win convincingly in Sydney, there'll be major question marks against them if they don't. An issue here seems to be the increasing emphasis on the more lucrative short-form games, with few if any State-level players having developed the ability to grind out a big innings under pressure. It used to be the case that the Australia test team had enough batting talent that if 3-4 players failed, others would get the big scores required. That's no longer the case, they are over-dependent on Hussey and Haddin saving the day. They also have no bowler who can consistently apply pressure. England's success here is well-deserved, but not as sweet as if the Aussies were their usual combative and competitive selves.

Does anybody also feel Andrew Symonds could have made a difference in this series?

Steve Smith is the worst looking Test Cricket 'Batsmen' I've seen.

Got to say I've never seen much in Clarke's presence on the field to suggest he'd make a good skipper, which may or may not reflect his off-field unpopularity. His recent batting record is also poor and unless he's one of the lucky few whose own form actually improves with captaincy then he could find his place in the side being even more under scrutiny. And there's always a problem with someone being the heir apparent for so long - just ask Gordon Brown.

If they were picking a captain for the long term, then you might wonder who else besides Clarke would be in the frame. Watson might be a decent choice but is himself a bits and pieces player, in the team for want of a proper opener. Hussey is too old, Haddin has the burden of keeping wicket, and none of the others are experienced enough or sure enough of their place in the side. But this is a one-off appointment, at least until Punter announces his retirement. Much to be said for a bigger clear-out, including Clarke, in the hope of salvaging something from a wretched series, and maybe making Watson the skipper. But that would involve too much swallowing of pride I guess.

Clarke has obviously got the captaincy as he has been vice captain for a while now but it's clearly the wrong decision.

I'm not sure who should get the job but, as it's only for one test and the next scheduled series isn't until August, I think, then Hussey or Haddin should be given the job as Clarke, like Ponting, isn't worth his place in the team.

Australia are clearly in turmoil but that is due to the selectors who have made some bizarre selections. Ponting clearly doesn't rate Hauritz but he should have been in the team from the start and Hughes is never a test opening batsman despite his two hundreds in South Africa.

There is talent in Australia but they seem stuck in the past with some of their selections. Maybe this series will get them back to the 80's and they will have a clear out and start again. At the moment only Watson deserves his place in the batting order and the bowlers are all very hit and miss. I would imagine the squad that comes to England in 2013 wont include any of the current lot apart from Watson and Smith (who they obviously rate but can't bowl at the moment).

As for England, over the top celebrations (we do live in the Rupert Murdoch tabloid/Sky world though so everything is better than it was, apparently)and talking of being number 1 in the world seems to mask the facts that India and South Africa (teams that England haven't won a series against recently, nor the Windies in the Caribbean for that matter despite England thinking they were the better team, as ever) are ranked higher and Pakistan did win a test in England in the summer, no doubt a mere blip.

I heard Michael Vaughan, who talks the tabloid talk, stating that no team can ever expect to take 20 English wickets as the squad is so strong. Clearly Perth never happened !

Maybe England should stop posturing and try and WIN the current series and any future ones as well before proclaiming themselves the best team in the world. Maybe they haven't realised that Australia are in decline and not top dogs nowadays. As for the "sprinkler dance", maturity isn't a strong point in the England squad by the looks of things. An embarrassment rather than something to be proud of.

Winning, or retaining, the Ashes only makes you the best team of two not the best in the world.

@15

I take your point about the timing of this but I for one couldn't help smirk when I read this, it's typical KP. Every team needs their mix of characters and by now we all (including the whole England team) know which role KP plays, stuff like this from KP should be expected by now. Couple this with the pinch of salt I am now old enough to realise needs to be taken with most UK media coverage of our national teams (in all sports) and it's not really an issue for me. His point is 'technically' correct and it would be easy to edit what could have been a fairly harmless quote in the way we have seen.

The most important thing is if it affects the team and given how grounded the leadership seems I doubt this is likely.

#41 I dont think anyone in the England camp, is claiming or has ever claimed they are the number 1 team in the world. They have stated that it is their AIM to become number 1. Nothing wrong with that atall. It should be the aim of every test playing nation.

God forbid if cricket became like the premiarmchariship where finishing 4th was seen as a "success".

Flower and Strauss will keep this team grounded for Sydney I am sure.

As for Clarke, he faces a massive challenge on Sunday, sink or swim.
However, things cant get much worse so he should go in positive frame of mind.

KP got rid of Moore's and we were able to get Flower before he was pinched by another Test country.

Whether KP fell on his sword by his own volition or not - he is right - his action of moving to get Moore's sacked resulted in the Strauss and Flower combination coming together.

.....and thats all that matters really.

With only about 4 players settled in the side, Watson seems the only player who looks consistency good in test matcches.

#42. Fair points you make (and I'm glad you're a Colly fan....unless your tag is ironic...one never knows on blogs).

I've re-read the article and a part of me is critical of the BBC for presenting it in this way. But then, in fairness to the Beeb, the same story is all over the Aussie press like dodgy aftershave.

Wonder whether Roebuck will be moved to deconstruct KP's psyche.

As for Clarke and captaincy, I don't fully understand the rôle of the vice-captain. He can deputise if, say, the skip is off-field for any length. But normally vice-captains aren't captains elect. Tres was England's vice under Vaughan but not talked of as a FEC. Perhaps Aussie system differs.

My long-winded point is that CA should not feel constrained to appoint Clarke.

Tim Paine seems a viable candidate but he's a keeper and there's not much wrong with Haddin's game.

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Michael Clarke is too much of a Ricky Ponting clone. I would have gone left-field to Cameron White.. Yes he hasn't played much test cricket and his bowling isn't up to international standard, but the guy has proven to be a leader on the field and is a very good mid-order batsman. Furthermore, he is at the peak of his powers and would bring a fresh look to what is a very stale Australian test cricket outfit.

couple of points raised, would like to add my bit
I'm 30, can just remember 24 years ago, well done to the team enjoyed every minute of it. Make sure we beat them in their backyard boys.
Ponting, really feel for the man. The manner of his demise(argueing with umpires) sparked of a desperate man out of form and lacking the quality of support from his players he had in his early tenure. Quality cricketer, average captain is how he will unfortunately be remembered.
Clarke is the right choice to follow him as captain, yes has all the KP'esque about him, but is vice captain, if they dont pick him as captain you might as well not play him. If Strauss was to wake up with a bad back on day of match who'd be captain. Cook as official vice captain you have to follow the rules.
We seem to forget that 2 years ago Strauss was a broken man out of form, nearly end of test career. Now the KP/Moores Ego debacle resulted in him being captain out of necessity rather than choice. He was my vote for sportsman of the year 2009, him and Flower rejuvinated a broken group into a team. Look at the clips, the sprinkler dance, they're is a real unity within the squad, something that helps you win matches. Maybe cricket australia have hit the jackpot, "resting" Ponting from more embarresment, throwing the ball to Clarke who might get lucky and win or Ricky might step back in to limelight next year.
Sides really are not that far apart, if you look at how we have fielded especially catches its no wonder we have won matches, but also we do still have the ability to capitulate a little too easily. Thats not to say I havnt enjoyed watching the aussies do it too because I have, but neither do I think we are the best test side out there. However in another 2 years time I do think that nucleus of squad will still be around and we might be knocking on SA/Indias door.

#47 Dear god, getting tedious now...

It's like appointing KP England captain: great with the tabloids, will raise the profile of the game, but could end in tears. The similarities between the two are very strong.

I was disappointed with the BBC Sport headline "Pietersen takes the credit..." It's a sub-editor who picks the headlines, but it gave a false impression of his comments. There is no question, England would never have achieved this success with Peter Moores. There is also no question that having a larger than life figure like KP as captain was never going to work in the long term (Ian Botham lasted a year and was destroyed by the very same press that howled for his promotion); Andrew Strauss was always likely to get more from him in the long term.

Clarke is a talented player out of form, it happens and he'll bounce back. As someone else has stated, he has to be named Captain for the test in Sydney as he is vice-captain. While some people may dislike him personally or feel his form doesn't justify his elevation, that is irrelevant in this, he's only standing in for Ponting for now. As it is, I know little of his tactical nous or cricketing ethos, from what I have seen of him as a batsman I have been impressed on the whole.

Shaun Marsh and Callum Ferguson are great calls by the way on current form, as would be Andrew McDonald - who's also a decent bowler. I've always liked Klinger too, but he's had a patchy season. It'll be interesting to see how they approach this test.

On Ponting, can't believe someone on here said they hope it's the last they see of him. On his day he's one of the most fantastic batsmen to watch. They need to take him away from the new ball a bit I think, move him to 5 maybe, when he comes back. Here's hoping he can continue at the top level, as captain or otherwise.

Looking for something from Collingwood in this game, Trott and Cook thus far though have looked imperious. Superb stuff.

post 30 and 47 just shows that you have no knowledge or understanding about cricket and that your posts throughout this ashes series are just trying to wind people u...as i said before lease comment on some thing that you do know...which is actually nothing

@20
I knew they dont have langer or hayden but open with a allrounder in a test match. I think its not a good idea. Opening in a test match is purely a top class batsman business.

Do I really care who Australia pick as captain? Do I really care that Michael Clarke is woefully out of form? Do I really care that Australia are going through their worse slump in years? The answer to all of the above is a resounding NO. Looking forward to a win in Sydney, 3-1 to the Eng-er-land and long may our dominance of the Aussies continue, hopefully for at least 20 years.

@46

I am proud to say I am a true fan of Collingwood. His double century in Adelaide four years ago caught my eye, specifically the primeval roar he let out as he smacked the ball back over the bowlers head to pass 200. I admire his grit and determination and I personally think this count for a lot. True, he hasn't performed with the bat this series but his role in the team is pretty obvious. I won't spell it out, it's been done plenty of times before! And that catch in Perth to dismiss Ponting! I'm sure he's coming to the end of his career so I hope he scores big in Sydney.

Going back to the KP story. However he meant it, it was always going to make headlines all over the press. Gotta love him.

Incidently, I've been desperately trying to find footage of Colly's double century in Adelaide - if anyone can help?

greetings from fortress sydney,

boy can any other major city burn 5 million bucks in 30mins like sydney does with fireworks on new yrs eve! we are the masters, we are the best in the world!! totally greenhouse friendly, i didn't see any smoke! no! none at all!!

back to less important issue's, heck! what other choice did "the tin man", "scarecrow" and "lion" have in picking who was to lead the pack in the battle for OZ other than "toto", "scooby doo" or "pup" or what other name you wanna give clarkey!

sadly the aussie cricket gene pool has hit rock bottom with the absence of any bold selections and the question now is! is clarkey potentially the new kim hughes!!
clearly the guys mind is weighed down by squillion dollar endorsements
and i'm not surprised he can barely carry and swing the weight of a piece of willow anymore let alone focus on those demonic pommie fast bowlers 22 yards away. sorry i forgot to mention "the chameleon" swanny aka 'merlin the magician" of his generation!!
anyway the toss could be a tad important on monday as showers are forecast mon/tues/wed( if the game goes that long)

#50. Isn't it ever.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

#56. sorry, I'm struggling to let this go. It's like Hitler taking credit for the creation of Israel.

Clarke will have his work cut out on Monday, that's for sure. He's been waiting in the wings for so long, and finally gets his chance just as England seal the Ashes after a thumping defeat and Australia are forced to parachute in a rookie No. 3.

He might make a fist of it, but I don't see it happening. If one of the Aus openers fail (not an unlikely scenario, it has to be said) it will probably be Mike Hussey striding to the wicket in short order again after Khawaja and Clarke implode.

Nothing I've seen of Clarke makes me think he's captain material. Which can only be good news for England!

And I for one am so glad we got rid of Moores as coach and KP as captain. It meant that the ECB were pretty much forced to do the right thing and promote the two Andys. I shudder to think of the mess we'd be in under Peter Moores now. We wouldn't be celebrating the retention of the Ashes Down Under, that's for sure.

It really would be better if people stopped feeding the troll and nibbling at his bait. It spoils an otherwise very pleasant flow of conversation.

Clarke is seen by most Australians as a girleyman metrosexual wuss. He is also a NSW player which never goes down that well outside that state ( Although to be fair relatively few junior sportsmen with choices choose cricket to be their sport of choice outside NSW such is the dominance of AFL) The tattoos don't help either ...maybe you can get away with them being a roughnut of a fast bowler but not as the Captain of Australia
Still he now has his chance . I'd say many Australians would wish him to do well ( ie win ) but somehow convince everyone that he is not captaincy material ( which I admit is not really possible
I'd choose Cameron White as Ponting's successor but it ain't gunna happen

Collingwood at Adelaide in 2006/7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhSQhBfBxg&feature=related

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Just noticed this in one of the Aussie papers on how they view Clarke:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/the-ashes/big-risk-to-pick-yuppie-michael-clarke/story-fn67x7ne-1225979024765

Mr 15 per cent says it all, really...

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Don't feed the troll...

#62 Spot on. It's become very boring now.

Re Clarke - they had no choice. Appointing him for this test means nothing, it's a one-off. But appointing somebody else over him would mean everything, and they simply don't have any obvious candidate to do that with. They have to hedge their bets right now - maybe they could get some advice from the Pakistanis...;-)

And if I was picking the Aussie team? Well I'd write in Watson, Hussey, Haddin, possibly Siddle for effort on a good day, then go down the pub, because after that it doesn't really seem to make much difference does it!

#65

Lets see shall we:

In South Africa this time last year he saved us TWICE and also scored a crucial 91 to help win the second test.
He scored 145 and 80 in the summer.
He may not be the most elegant player but he brings an extra dimension to the team. He is one of few players who can just bat and bat.
Also great fielder and useful bowler

On another not, please read my blog where I've done a 2010 sports review. You can vote for your favourite moment and the best sportsmen of the year: https://jamesheneghan.blogspot.com/

27. At 11:36am on 31 Dec 2010, DiscoStew wrote:
Wouldn't surprise me if Cricket Australia were courting Shane Warne behind the scenes - not for this series but the next and beyond. I think he might come back for the captaincy...and would be pretty darn good at it too. You need a real legend to sort those boys out!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I said this on the other thread, but it deserves repeating:

Good as he undoubtedly was as a bowler, Shane Warne will not want to subject his wicket tally to the decision review system in use today. Even the captaincy of Australia will not tempt him back to test cricket whilst that system is in use; you can con the on-field umpire but not the TV replays. There seems little choice for CA but to appoint Clarke as interim captain in Ponting's absence. The real question of long term captaincy will need to be addressed if/when Ponting decides to hang up his baggy green. I can't see anyone suitable within the current test squad, either by reason of age or talent, so they will have to look outside. If they are sober when they make the decision they should pick White - if they are still hungover they will probably stick with Clarke. Either way, their problems with captaincy are only the start of issues they need to address. All record breaking runs in sport end in tears.

Also Collingwood led England to our first EVER ICC World Cup and has now won 3 Ashes! Not a coincidence

#71 - very good points, both about Warne and the mess that Aus find themselves in as regards long-term captaincy options.

I've always been of the opinion that Warne's bowling talent, while prodigious, was undoubtedly bolstered by his continual harassment of the umpires.

The word is that Shane Warne *would* be willing to come back, if offered the captaincy, but it is a move that would smack of desperation. With no Tests for 8 months the whole question is fairly irrelevant for now anyway: even Shane Warne is not Peter Pan and maybe by August next year he would be having second thoughts anyway.

Again, the parallel is with KP getting the captaincy in 2008... at the time there was simply no one else who was a credible choice but, by the end of the year, that was no longer the case.

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Stagazer at 74 wrote:

Again, the parallel is with KP getting the captaincy in 2008... at the time there was simply no one else who was a credible choice but, by the end of the year, that was no longer the case.

++++++++++++++++++++=

Simply not true about KP. Strauss should have been the given the captaincy for the 06/07 ashes after he had led England to a home win against Pakistan. (He is probably glad now that he wasn't). Awarding it to Flintoff was a serious mistake, and it was compounded by then appointing KP. Being a seriously good player does not make you an automatically good skipper. To the extent that the captaincy was only belatedly awarded to Strauss after his own brief tenure ended, KP is correct in what he has been saying in the media: without Strauss at the helm we would not be where we are today.

Here's some FACTS for you Papa Shango:

- England are ranked third in the World, above Australia.
- England have won three out of the last four Ashes series.
- Graeme Swann is ranked 2nd bowler in the World
- Paul Collingwood averages above 40 in test cricket and led England to first ever ICC trophy
- James Anderson is ranked the fifth best bowler in the world, above any Australians
- Jonathan Trott is ranked third best batsmen in the world, again above any Australian
- ENGLAND HAVE JUST RETAINED THE ASHES AFTER BATTERING AUSTRALIA BY AN INNINGS TWICE IN ONE SERIES!

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Lets give Clarke a chance as captain of Australia and lets see if he is any better than Pointing as captain.

Ok, just answer me this Papa truthfully. Why do you put England down so much is you are an England fan? Aren't you happy we won the Ashes? Or are you just trying to win everyone up? (which you have done quite well)

well av been reeding theez posts now for all the test matches, and am gunna tell you lot summert, thet papa kid duz no wat eez talkin about, e knows ow to get numptys goin so in my book eez ok. but best ov all e duz no about cricket.so leeve im alone and wise up.

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Ok, we play India in the summer so if we beat them then, will you praise the team more whoevers playing?

@64

Thank you! You've made my Christmas.

As for Clarke, surely England's selection policy is a prime example of how rewarding good players who are out of form with consitent selection pays off? Up until this series if you'd asked me who Alastair Cook was I would have replied 'not Marcus Trescothick'.

I don't know much about Clarke but I've seen and heard enough to know he is regarded as a great player and should come good with the bat again. As a captain? Only time will tell. If he is comparable to KP in personality then I have to say I was never totally at ease with KP as our captain but then I'm not a high risk kinda guy.

If your Collysbiggestfan then I'm Collyssecondbiggest fan! Class player

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

Graeme Swann is a good spin bowler, in fact he's the best spin bowler in the world! FACT
And Anderson has proved he can bowl on all surfaces

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

#64
collingwood at Adelade 2006, its neerly 2011 na pal!
av got a foto of mi wife in 1978, but a wunt av 1 of er na!
collingwood to owd pal.

innit mate! I cant stand ppl who tlk like dis man!

Average? He's had a good series and even if he hadn't it doesn't prove he's average. He's taken 124 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 27. That is not average

Odd that Clarke does not demand his match winning Blues team mate Hauritz back in the side to handle the spin and batting all rounder on his home ground. Bring in two men not afraid to take on England´s bowlers - David Hussey as well as Khawaja to replace Hughes and Ponting. Ponting seems to have personal issues with Hauritz that dont apply now Clarke is in charge.
However, a line up which includes Beer,Clarke,Hughes and Smith on the surface does appear to offer England 4 obvious out -of- form weak links to attack and sabotages Australia´s chance of victory at the SCG.

92
an a bet tha stoppin in tonite arnt tha?

All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

I can't even understand what that says?

90. At 3:45pm on 31 Dec 2010, papa shango always right wrote:
Swann's average this series is 37!! A fact that proves he is average.

---

Let's see how that compares to other spinners in Australia over the past 5 years:

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;filter=advanced;host=2;orderby=bowling_average;qualmin1=5;qualval1=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+2010;spanmin1=31+Dec+2005;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Only Hauritz averaged sub-30. Swann is behind Hauritz, Warne, Kumble and Benn. He is ahead of Panesar, Harris, Vettori, Singh and Kaneria.

So 37 isn't too bad. In fact, it's better (albeit marginally in some cases) than the likes of Vettori, Panesar and Singh who you claim to be better than Swann.

Seriously, Papa Shango, who do you honestly think you are??? From, what I and everyone else on these forums says has way more respect than the drivel you speak. What is it you quote? FACTS? Well let me repeat some of your facts on here where you have managed to have a go at everyone else....


210. At 7:55pm on 27 Dec 2010, papa shango always right wrote:
#206 feel free to take the rise, just check out my predictions & realise I do talk sense.
203. At 7:36pm on 27 Dec 2010, papa shango always right wrote:
Writing off Ponting will come back to haunt you tomorrow when you wake up & he is 150 not out, with them closing in on a lead. I have been right all through this series, ignore me at your peril.

Let's not forget with Collingwood in the side we're 1 wicket down already!!
144. At 5:03pm on 27 Dec 2010, papa shango always right wrote:
#139 Oz won't save this game. They'll win it.


If I may point out, well I'm going to anyway, Ricky Ponting scored diddly. Not the 150 you quoted, therefore, your FACT is wrong.
Secondly, Oz did not win the game, they lost it quite miserably, and would probably have admitted it themselves after day 2. That is a FACT.

So next time you want to talk facts, please get them straight before spouting trash. And while we're on the subject, if you're so well informed, why don't you tell us your cricketing experience. One assumes you must have been a previous test captain of some repute.

In Sub-continent? He has played 2 tests in the sub-continent, what do you say to that?

Also he has played: 9 tests against Australia, 2 against India, 4 against South Africa and 4 against Pakistan - hardly poor teams, are they? As you said South Africa and India are the best teams in the world, right?

And another thread descends into tedium.