Michael Clarke

[rdhopkins2]

I have much man love for Michael Clarke. He's been a great batter through adversity and fearless leader. He's been an incredible teammate through the Hughes tragedy. His body however doesn't show the same resilience with his hamstring and back issues.

What is the future for Michael Clarke? I hope he can get back to full fitness but I'd suggest with his history, it will not be an easy task. Play Test Match cricket only in the future?

 

[LukasTheGreat]

His career has absolutely flown by, he's on the verge of retirement and I swear it was only yesterday he debuted.

 

[Ashton Agar]

Forget the World Cup, he has to retire from ODIs NOW.

 

[MJ2014]

Plenty left in him.. 3 more years. Just scored a 100 and has much more to give..

 

[Ashton Agar]

Plenty left in him.. 3 more years. Just scored a 100 and has much more to give..

No way will his body hold up for 3 more years.

 

[ManWithNoName]

 

[aussie1st]

Having your body fall apart like that would put a lot of doubts both in his and the selectors minds. Hope he comes back but going to be a real struggle.

 

[Aussie_boy]

Forget the World Cup, he has to retire from ODIs NOW.

Agree, middle order is already solid enough considering only 2 of Steve Smith/Michael Clarke/ George Bailey will play. Will certainly make it easier for the selectors.

 

[lewigie]

He will retire after the ashes if he makes it that far, surely.

 

[Ashton Agar]

That's a shame.

I'm sure he'll make it back though. He'll find a way to get back.

 

[Crawb]

Needs a few months off. Hopefully he is right again for the World Cup. And if he is, I certainly wouldn't be playing him in games against Bangladesh, Scotland, Afghanistan, etc. Should retire from ODIs after the World Cup.

 

[The_Reaper]

Opens the door for Voges

Though I'd rather just leave Rogers in the team.

 

[rdhopkins2]

The other concern is if he keeps on doing hammys, getting through 5 day test matches.
So perhaps ODI specialist instead?

Poor bloke, love his endeavour and positivity but his body can't take a trick.

 

[imadodgyumpire]

If he keep taking the drugs he's been using in this Test, he'll be able to play every game til the 2023 World Cup.

 

[Ashton Agar]

Opens the door for Voges

I have rated Voges for a long time but I'd be stunned if he ever played test cricket now.

Surely another of your WA boys, Shaun Marsh, would be ahead for starters, he was picked as backup for Clarke after all.

 

[The_Reaper]

I have rated Voges for a long time but I'd be stunned if he ever played test cricket now.

Surely another of your WA boys, Shaun Marsh, would be ahead for starters, he was picked as backup for Clarke after all.

A forced Clarke retirement opens up all sorts of possibilities especially given how erratic some recent test selections have been

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

If he won't play again this series, he has to aim for the WC and then surely would retire from the limted overs game. But its doubtful he is in the best LOI eleven these days anyway, with the way game has changed. I would still have him there if fit, but he is no certainty. And getting game time to prove fitness for the WC is looking shaky.

Hopefully he takes the time to rest this time around and actually allows himself to recover. There are no Tests after this series for quite a while so the pressure won't be there to come back early.

 

[Wayne Arnold]

I think his future lies in fashion design/ownership and part time coaching for young aussie batters (sic).

 

[peternorth]

ive maintained for months that he should concentrate on tests if anything. i know he'd want to captain the team in the WC (this opportunity is rare), but tests > everything

 

[GreekLunatic]

He has the same injury that ended nathan buckleys career

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

ive maintained for months that he should concentrate on tests if anything. i know he'd want to captain the team in the WC (this opportunity is rare), but tests > everything

Absolutely agree on that point. But if he shows fitness (in matches) befire the WC I have no problem with him being picked for it.

There is a big gap bewteen the WC and the next Test series (in England). So I don't think playing the WC would be a big additional risk - if he goes in properly fit (that part seems unlikely now).

 

[frankrizzo]

Can't see how they pick him as part of a 15 man squad for the WC, he needs 6 months off and then he might have a shot at getting through the ashes after that he might call it a day and i would say that makes sense considering how stuffed his body is.

 

[Pugsley]

Unfortunately, I think he's done. If so, congrats on a wonderful career Clarkey.

 

[The Passenger]

I'm pretty sure he has always said he never intended to play on to he was into his late 30's like others.

That, combined with this injury, and I think the Ashes will be his swansong. That's if he can even get himself right for them.

The Hughes tragedy might just change his outlook on a few things as well. It may make him think he wants to play for as long as he can and get everything out of himself. It could conversely make him think there is life beyond cricket and now is the right time, mentally and physically to call it a day. It may also have no effect on his cricketing career. Only Clarke himself knows that.

I always thought Clarke would be one cricketer who came back and played grade cricket after his international career - something that not enough cricketers in the last 20 years have done, and it's something which would greatly increase the development of cricketers coming into the first class scene. Given the state of his body I think it's fairly unlikely now, and fair enough too.

 

[Spiritof82]

Best news I've heard for a while, now to just get rid of Haddin and cricket may be watchable again