AUSTRALIA’S resurrection as a cricketing nation serves as huge validation for Michael Clarke’s ‘bold’ and ‘innovative’ captaincy, according to national selector John Inverarity. In a massive tick of approval, Inverarity was effusive in his praise of Ricky Ponting’s successor in both the Test and one-day formats of the game, with the best illustration being Clarke’s bold declaration in the second Test with the West Indies at the Port of Spain.
After Ponting’s resignation from both roles following the World Cup in 2011, Clarke boasts an impressive record as captain.
Dating back to August 2011, Australia have won nine of 14 Tests (three draws), including a 4-0 home drubbing of India, and have won seven of 13 ODIs, including one draw.
“I think he’s got a very good cricket brain, he’s intuitive and he responds to his intuitions,” Inverarity said.
“The captain should anticipate, I think Michael is very good at that, he’s just ahead of the game, he’s anticipating and seeing how things evolve and making decisions in a bold manner.
“When you watch and see a bowler bowl his fifth over and his sixth over, seventh … and he bowls a couple short and everyone says: ‘he needs to be taken off’, that’s an over too late.”
Inverarity likened Clarke to former Test captain Mark Taylor, whom he said had a similar daring.
“He’s a bold captain (Clarke), just going back a bit if I was watching a game of cricket I enjoyed watching Mark Taylor captain.
“I thought he was innovative and creative and did things a little bit out of the ordinary and I think Michael Clarke is very much the same.”
Clarke’s style came to the fore when he sent the West Indies back in to bat with only 215 needed from their last innings in the second Test to level the series.
The game ended in a tie with poor weather marring the Test, but Inverarity insisted it was Clarke’s aggressive intent that stood out the most.
“His declaration was more than anything a statement of intent, it was: ‘we’re pulling out, we’re after you’.
“In the context of the whole psychology of the game that was very significant. I also think it’s terrific the way he brings Mike Hussey on for two or three overs.
“Now, Mike Hussey is just a club, medium-pace bowler, but when he comes on, he changes the mind-set a bit. Most times he’s come on he’s either got a wicket or nearly got a wicket.”
With England likely to prove far sterner opposition in the upcoming ODI series, Inverarity said it was important to maintain perspective on the achievements of Australia’s developing squad.
“It’s gone pretty well in the past six months, we’re developing some greater depth but we’re certainly not being complacent or saying we’re going fantastic,” he said.
“We’ve got a side which is steadily getting a bit better.
“But (we) recognise that in the (tour) of the West Indies, although they are greatly improved, their fielding, their team spirit, they’ve improved.
“The opposition that was presented to us in the West Indies and India is not as high as it is going to be in England and South Africa so that is going to be the true test.” (Cricket Australia)