Michael Clarke next captin?

[Y2J]

undefineddo u think Michael Clarke will be the next skipper after Ricky Ponting??

[wang]

No

[Karbassiyoon]

would be too soon IMO. i don't want clarke become the riewoldt of cricket (ie big head).

one day Watson will captain the ODI side, clarke won't captain the test side for at least another 7 years.

[mjm28]

Ponting will be there until at least he is 35, so maybe in six years or so Clarke may get a look in. Don't understand why he has been selected for the India tour. I'm a big wrap for him, but he won't play. He would be much better off playing in the first few games for NSW, getting into some form ready to break into the team next year.

[VoR]

FFS, the bloke has a FC average in the mid 30s. He doesn't warrent a place in the Test XI, let alone be it's captain.

[red+black]

he needs to hold his catches

[Cameron_K]

FFS, the bloke has a FC average in the mid 30s. He doesn't warrent a place in the Test XI, let alone be it's captain.


Finally someone is talking some sense. How Clarke can get a look in on the test side when you have the likes of Maher, Love, Hodge, Hussey (both), Elliot, Rogers (Who I have a feeling will be the next added to the squad) & North all playing better I will never know.

At least when the ACB put faith in Ponting at a young age he showed he could perform over 4-5 days, Michael Clarke is yet to do that in my opinion.

[VoR]

Finally someone is talking some sense. How Clarke can get a look in on the test side when you have the likes of Maher, Love, Hodge, Hussey (both), Elliot, Rogers (Who I have a feeling will be the next added to the squad) & North all playing better I will never know.

Comes with the colour of his cap.

BTW, Watson has a better batting FC average than Clarke, and Hoggy!!!'s is only a couple of points behind.

[Wacky Tiger]

would be too soon IMO. i don't want clarke become the riewoldt of cricket (ie big head).

one day Watson will captain the ODI side, clarke won't captain the test side for at least another 7 years.

He might have a big head but hes still a bloody footballer who will go close to winning the Brownlow at only 21-22.

I reckon Clarke will be a great choice to take the captaincy after Ponting retires

[crudbucket]

He hasn't even made the Test team yet !

You need to do more that just have "Place of Birth - New South Wales" stamped in your passport....

[Black Thunder]

Clarke probably won't be the next captain, but don't be suprised to see him captain one day. Has an amazing cricketing brain for his age.

And for those bagging him:

2002/2003 First Class season:
763 runs (4th highest in SS) at 47.68 (7th highest for players with 5 or more games) at a strike rate of 61.73 (8th highest for players with 200 runs or more) and 4 centuries (most in the competition). This at just 21 years of age is something pretty good. Also add in a half century for Australia A against England in a 3 day tour game.

His performances in 2002/03 are as good as just about any batsmen in the country outside of the Australian team. Only played the two FC games in 03/04 in which he failed in both. But given he is just 21 and Australia is quite an old team, he's selection into the international scene is very much justified. And his performances in the international scene have certainly been upto standard avering a notch over 40 at a strike rate of 89 in his 30-odd ODI's thus far.

Yes, his First Class career average may still only be in the mid to high 30's, but that is taking into context what happened in 1999/2000, which really is quite irrelevant.

[Minkus_Swan]

Clarke probably won't be the next captain, but don't be suprised to see him captain one day. Has an amazing cricketing brain for his age.

And for those bagging him:

2002/2003 First Class season:
763 runs (4th highest in SS) at 47.68 (7th highest for players with 5 or more games) at a strike rate of 61.73 (8th highest for players with 200 runs or more) and 4 centuries (most in the competition). This at just 21 years of age is something pretty good. Also add in a half century for Australia A against England in a 3 day tour game.

His performances in 2002/03 are as good as just about any batsmen in the country outside of the Australian team. Only played the two FC games in 03/04 in which he failed in both. But given he is just 21 and Australia is quite an old team, he's selection into the international scene is very much justified. And his performances in the international scene have certainly been upto standard avering a notch over 40 at a strike rate of 89 in his 30-odd ODI's thus far.

Yes, his First Class career average may still only be in the mid to high 30's, but that is taking into context what happened in 1999/2000, which really is quite irrelevant.

Don't worry, most of Australia will be convinced of Clarke's ability after this upcoming season. He's only a good season away from the team.

[Dog Town]

Don't worry, most of Australia will be convinced of Clarke's ability after this upcoming season. He's only a good season away from the team.Dont think anyone doubts his ability but you need results before you can just waltz into the side.Why should there be one set of rules for him and another for other aspiring test players.Guys like Love,Hussey and Hodge have been chalking up runs for seasons.

[Black Thunder]

Dont think anyone doubts his ability but you need results before you can just waltz into the side.Why should there be one set of rules for him and another for other aspiring test players.Guys like Love,Hussey and Hodge have been chalking up runs for seasons.
agree with Love and Hodge.

But i used to agree with Hussey, but i'm starting to think of him as a bit of a myth. His FC average is high, but check out what he's done in the Australian FC competition, and how much his averages are beefed up by dominating the English comp..... it's quite suprising.

Love is still very much in the frame i'd suggest. Hodge is a little further back. The big thing with Clarke is age and Australia looking to inject some youth.

[Black Thunder]

just on Michael Hussey.

Who i should actually say i rate him techincally as a batsmen, but obviousbly he either doesn't have it mentally or he thrives on pounding sub standard bowlers.

Over the last 4 years:
2000/01 FC season: 553 at 30.72 (1 ton)
2001 FC season: 2055 at 79.03 (5 tons including a 329*)
2001/02 FC season: 600 at 35.29 (2 tons)
2002 FC season: 1442 at 68.66 (5 tons including a 310*)
2002/03 FC season: 348 at 34.80 (0 tons)
2003 FC season: 1697 at 89.31 (6 tons including a 331*)
2003/04 FC season: 752 at 41.77 (1 ton)
2004 FC season: 351 at 35.10 (0 tons - poor season)

so basically, his performances in the Sheffield Shield are not upto the standards required to get picked for Australia. I remember when i found that out i was very suprised.

[Dog Town]

just on Michael Hussey.

Who i should actually say i rate him techincally as a batsmen, but obviousbly he either doesn't have it mentally or he thrives on pounding sub standard bowlers.

Over the last 4 years:
2000/01 FC season: 553 at 30.72 (1 ton)
2001 FC season: 2055 at 79.03 (5 tons including a 329*)
2001/02 FC season: 600 at 35.29 (2 tons)
2002 FC season: 1442 at 68.66 (5 tons including a 310*)
2002/03 FC season: 348 at 34.80 (0 tons)
2003 FC season: 1697 at 89.31 (6 tons including a 331*)
2003/04 FC season: 752 at 41.77 (1 ton)
2004 FC season: 351 at 35.10 (0 tons - poor season)

so basically, his performances in the Sheffield Shield are not upto the standards required to get picked for Australia. I remember when i found that out i was very suprised.His one day form probably gives you the wrong impression aswell.There is still 4 or 5 blokes who have records far superior to Clarkes and where reasonable should be above him in the pecking order.There is plenty to be said for giving young blookes a crack but some of those other guys are still relatively young in cricket terms.

[Cameron_K]

I can't understand how Rogers has not got a place on a tour with the national side yet, what more does a guy have to do. He has had 3 VERY good years.

[mayhem176]

The bottom line with Clarke is age, and the fact that no one from his generation is even close to showing the potential, or posting the runs that he has posted. As well as that, the only batsmen in the next age bracket who has demanded selection is probably Martin Love, but, the time has come and gone for him really, so, they are moving on to long term selections.

I think the idea with Clarke is looking to the future, if they bring in Hodge, Hussey, Love or Katich (on a more permanent basis) they will have Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lehmann and either one of the above mentioned players retire within a year or two of eachother. I think the idea is to space out the players that leave, and let Clarke get experience with these great players we have now so that when they leave he is right to go, rather than keeping him out with a bloke who will probably retire at the same time as these guys (ie. Martin Love).

[mayhem176]

I can't understand how Rogers has not got a place on a tour with the national side yet, what more does a guy have to do. He has had 3 VERY good years.

Good point, maybe the fact that he opens or bats at 3 counts against him, when you consider the captain bats at 3, and Australia currently has the best opening combination in the history of cricket.

[punter257]

The bottom line with Clarke is age, and the fact that no one from his generation is even close to showing the potential, or posting the runs that he has posted. As well as that, the only batsmen in the next age bracket who has demanded selection is probably Martin Love, but, the time has come and gone for him really, so, they are moving on to long term selections.

I think the idea with Clarke is looking to the future, if they bring in Hodge, Hussey, Love or Katich (on a more permanent basis) they will have Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lehmann and either one of the above mentioned players retire within a year or two of eachother. I think the idea is to space out the players that leave, and let Clarke get experience with these great players we have now so that when they leave he is right to go, rather than keeping him out with a bloke who will probably retire at the same time as these guys (ie. Martin Love).

cant argue with that analogy mate. clarke simply has to be given a chance to acclimatise to the top level. he has shown class in the one dayers and in my opinion will no doubt be a gun test player. give the bloke some faith and in the long run it'll pay off. i would rather have clarke learning to play at the top in the various conditions around the globe then hodge, love etc.......

[likka]

The bottom line with Clarke is age, and the fact that no one from his generation is even close to showing the potential, or posting the runs that he has posted. As well as that, the only batsmen in the next age bracket who has demanded selection is probably Martin Love, but, the time has come and gone for him really, so, they are moving on to long term selections.

I think the idea with Clarke is looking to the future, if they bring in Hodge, Hussey, Love or Katich (on a more permanent basis) they will have Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lehmann and either one of the above mentioned players retire within a year or two of eachother. I think the idea is to space out the players that leave, and let Clarke get experience with these great players we have now so that when they leave he is right to go, rather than keeping him out with a bloke who will probably retire at the same time as these guys (ie. Martin Love).
I'm sick of the bloody word POTENTIAL. Fact is he is not scoring the amount of runs required to get in the test squad, never mind talk of captaining the country.

His form last year was ordinary, and is not making any runs in county cricket either. Most other Aussie imports are making a killing.

If he was playing in WA he wouldn't be talked about in the same way. Ever notice how Katich makes a ton of runs on the WACA, but it took a move to NSW to get a gig in the national team. No coincidence there.

Should be struggling to make the NSW side, never mind the Aussie side.

[Black Thunder]

I'm sick of the bloody word POTENTIAL. Fact is he is not scoring the amount of runs required to get in the test squad, never mind talk of captaining the country.

His form last year was ordinary, and is not making any runs in county cricket either. Most other Aussie imports are making a killing.

If he was playing in WA he wouldn't be talked about in the same way. Ever notice how Katich makes a ton of runs on the WACA, but it took a move to NSW to get a gig in the national team. No coincidence there.

Should be struggling to make the NSW side, never mind the Aussie side.
you didn't see what Clarke did in 02/03 to get into his chance at the international scene??

and you have missed him average in the 40's over his 15-18 months in the ODI team.....??

[likka]

you didn't see what Clarke did in 02/03 to get into his chance at the international scene??

and you have missed him average in the 40's over his 15-18 months in the ODI team.....??
One season does not maketh a player. Hodge, Elliot, Love, Katich have made piles of first class runs over a number of years and deserve their chance. Clarke needs to CONSISTANTLY make runs and dominate attacks, which he simply has not done.

ODI is not test cricket mate. Symonds and Bevan are good one day cricketers, but they are found wanting at test level. Players need to perform in 4 day first class cricket to get test selection, ODI form should be completely irrelevant. Bracken is another perfect example of this.

[eddiesmith]

Hodge, Elliott make consisten runs.

Fleming, Reiffel, Jones all performed consistently well for Australia yet got dropped reguarly and couldnt hold a spot. Why should Clarke walk in and take the captaincy? If he gets the captaincy then the team will plummett lower than what they look like doing under Ponting especially after selecting Lee.

Clarke needs to mature. Whilst everyone was disappointed in a shocking loss (thanks to Ponting and selectors) he was trying to crack jokes and not getting any response. Unless he grows up quickly and starts making runs he wont be around to take over the captaincy. Then again he does play for NSW and that means one century a year keeps your spot even if you fail the other 99 innings.

[demon_dave]

undefineddo u think Michael Clarke will be the next skipper after Ricky Ponting??
he will be because he comes from NSW, CA get withdrawal symptoms when they don't have a NSW captain

[spindoctor]

These rubbish excuses that poor old Clarke's average is only poor because he had a couple of bad seasons when he was younger are crap. Rogers, Hodge, Watson, D. Hussey (I think M Hussey is a dud), even Mark Cosgrove, have higher FC averages after the same amount of time. It is not a valid excuse. The fact that he only averaged 47.68 in that season is nothing special. The best Pura Cup players average well more than 50. Blewett averages more than Clarke consistently, shall we pick him again instead of the kiddie?

[tasyazdani]

Does anyone else think that Australian cricket will be on a bit of a downer in a couple of years?? Maybe Nasser has a point.

You will have Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Lehmann, Blewett, Gilchrist, McGrath, Warne, Kasprowicz, Elliott, Hogg, MacGill all retire within a couple of years of each other. All around 32-33

Then comes the Hodge, Hussey, Katich, Love, Maher, Ponting, Williams, Lee, Gillespie, Symonds. All between 28-30

Then Clarke, White, Tait Watson and these guys around 21-23.

I'm thinking that the 21-23 y.o. guys may get a run befor the 28-30 y.o. in the interest of the future of Australian cricket.

Just a thought ofcourse.

[spindoctor]

Youth?

Batsmen
Clarke
Rogers
North
Cosgrove
D Hussey
Watson
Cameron

Bowlers
Tait
White
Watson
Rofe
Cleary
Clark
Hauritz

Wicketkeepers
Ronchi
Hartley

off the top of my head

[dan warna]

Cameron white is a better player, mentally more sound, and a proven leader

his one problem seems that in a particular match he EITHER bats well or bowls well, and rarely gets both disciplines right in the same game.

excellent leadership skills too.

Cameron White will be a better captain than clarke.