Michael Clarke's ODI career is at the crossroads. He may be at the peak of his prodigious powers with the willow but his bothersome back is arguably Australian cricket's biggest burden. And his brilliant batting and leadership might have to be consigned solely to the Test format, if Australia is gung-ho in regaining the mantle as Test's best. As an Australian fan, it would be painful to see Clarke step away from a format he has dominated since his debut just over a decade ago against England as a baby-faced 21-year-old.
Clarke is one of ODI's cricket's most adaptable and dependable batsmen, having successfully played everywhere in the top six during his career. Clarke's deft close-in fielding and handy spinners add to his all-round talents. His ODI legacy is ensured. He was part of Australia's all-conquering and undefeated 2007 World Cup campaign and averages an impressive 45 in 227 matches. He has a higher average than Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and both Waughs.
It's easy to call for Clarke to move aside but the prospect of a looming ODI World Cup on Australian turf for the first time in two decades may be too tempting. I'm one of the rare few preferring 50-over cricket to the sleeker 20-over format, but there are a plethora of meaningless matches and competitions blighting the 50-over calendar. Teams spend four years honing their squad for World Cup glory. Makeshift line-ups are a scourge in ODI cricket.
Clarke will be approaching 34 during the next World Cup, so it may be his last chance at competing on one of cricket's most prestigious stages. Plus, Clarke deserves to lead his coloured charges to a World Cup. He should be afforded with an opportunity to replicate the World Cup deeds of Alan Border, Steve Waugh and Ponting.
In a perfect world this would be a formality. Unfortunately, Clarke's back is anything but perfect. In fact, it's a bane. And it could be an affliction for Australia's Test prospects. Clarke missed the opening two matches of the Champions Trophy. Maybe longer? Who knows? His degenerative back problem is a perennial question mark. But is anyone confident Clarke can run the Ashes marathon? Can he play 10 gruelling Tests within six months? Australia has a plethora of problems heading into the Ashes, but Clarke's back is both the scariest and most serious concern.
The time has come for Clarke and Cricket Australia to make a gut-wrenching decision. It's a hard and cruel call but Clarke needs to sacrifice his ODI career for Test longevity. Clarke needs to retire from the ODI format at the relatively tender age of 32. But it's the right call for him and the team. It gives Australia 18 months to plan before the World Cup.
Contrary to their ineptness thus far in England, Australia's one-day batting is stronger than its fragile Test counterpart. Shane Watson and David Warner are vastly superior in the coloured formats, while George Bailey and Adam Voges provide a dose of grit and experience in the middle-order. Minus Clarke, Australia still boasts a competitive ODI team. The 50-over format lacks a dominant team. There are a bunch of good, but flawed teams at present. This bodes well for Australia. Even without Clarke, they aren't too far away from the pack. Perhaps some of their highly touted players will relish more responsibility.
With Clarke absent, perhaps new leaders can be moulded. Australia has a leadership dearth, but would Watson, Warner and/or Bailey thrive with the increased responsibilities? Nobody knows. But we know Clarke's back isn't getting better. He needs prolonged rest to at least have a chance at longevity.
It's remarkable that Clarke hasn't missed a Test in his career through injury. But age will eventually conquer. His back will inevitably succumb to the pressure. Australian cricket has a knack of being consumed with delusion. After all, how else is Watson still a Test regular? But there's no point denying the obvious. Michael Clarke's body is brittle. His cricket future is fragile.
Clarke is one of ODI's cricket's most adaptable and dependable batsmen, having successfully played everywhere in the top six during his career. Clarke's deft close-in fielding and handy spinners add to his all-round talents. His ODI legacy is ensured. He was part of Australia's all-conquering and undefeated 2007 World Cup campaign and averages an impressive 45 in 227 matches. He has a higher average than Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and both Waughs.
It's easy to call for Clarke to move aside but the prospect of a looming ODI World Cup on Australian turf for the first time in two decades may be too tempting. I'm one of the rare few preferring 50-over cricket to the sleeker 20-over format, but there are a plethora of meaningless matches and competitions blighting the 50-over calendar. Teams spend four years honing their squad for World Cup glory. Makeshift line-ups are a scourge in ODI cricket.
Clarke will be approaching 34 during the next World Cup, so it may be his last chance at competing on one of cricket's most prestigious stages. Plus, Clarke deserves to lead his coloured charges to a World Cup. He should be afforded with an opportunity to replicate the World Cup deeds of Alan Border, Steve Waugh and Ponting.
In a perfect world this would be a formality. Unfortunately, Clarke's back is anything but perfect. In fact, it's a bane. And it could be an affliction for Australia's Test prospects. Clarke missed the opening two matches of the Champions Trophy. Maybe longer? Who knows? His degenerative back problem is a perennial question mark. But is anyone confident Clarke can run the Ashes marathon? Can he play 10 gruelling Tests within six months? Australia has a plethora of problems heading into the Ashes, but Clarke's back is both the scariest and most serious concern.
The time has come for Clarke and Cricket Australia to make a gut-wrenching decision. It's a hard and cruel call but Clarke needs to sacrifice his ODI career for Test longevity. Clarke needs to retire from the ODI format at the relatively tender age of 32. But it's the right call for him and the team. It gives Australia 18 months to plan before the World Cup.
Contrary to their ineptness thus far in England, Australia's one-day batting is stronger than its fragile Test counterpart. Shane Watson and David Warner are vastly superior in the coloured formats, while George Bailey and Adam Voges provide a dose of grit and experience in the middle-order. Minus Clarke, Australia still boasts a competitive ODI team. The 50-over format lacks a dominant team. There are a bunch of good, but flawed teams at present. This bodes well for Australia. Even without Clarke, they aren't too far away from the pack. Perhaps some of their highly touted players will relish more responsibility.
With Clarke absent, perhaps new leaders can be moulded. Australia has a leadership dearth, but would Watson, Warner and/or Bailey thrive with the increased responsibilities? Nobody knows. But we know Clarke's back isn't getting better. He needs prolonged rest to at least have a chance at longevity.
It's remarkable that Clarke hasn't missed a Test in his career through injury. But age will eventually conquer. His back will inevitably succumb to the pressure. Australian cricket has a knack of being consumed with delusion. After all, how else is Watson still a Test regular? But there's no point denying the obvious. Michael Clarke's body is brittle. His cricket future is fragile.
No comments:
Post a Comment