Michael Clarke

[LukeParkerno1]

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

Not if it means Wade is keeper! The bloke can't catch!

 

[BorisDawg]

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

I'm sorry, but...

Which part hasn't been 'watchable' enough for you?

The 151 on debut? Batting superbly to help us win the 07 WC? Taking a 3-fer at the end of the 5th day (second last over IIRC) of a test against India for the win? The absolute demolition of everything bowlers could throw at him during 2012, including a 329*, 210, 259* and 230? Leading Australia to a whitewash of the English to retake the urn?

I get that his off-field stuff hasn't been to everyone's taste, but how could you not enjoy watching this guy play cricket?

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

I am genuinely surprised he has made it this far. Two years ago, I thought he had a season to eighteen months at the most left in him. I don't mean that from a form perspective, but his body is essentially beyond repair now. Each injury leads to another injury through physiological compensation patterns and the only way I can see his battle win injuries ending, is by taking an eight to twelve month break at a minimum, to rebuild his body from the ground up- but there is no way he will do that at this stage of his career. It is a shame because he is the most naturally talented cricketer I have ever seen, but from now on- every game he gets out of himself is a bonus.

 

[damochandler]

forget about this series, world cup and the west indies

ashes is what should be top priority for him

 

[LukeParkerno1]

In a way I'd give him the option of playing even at 20% for a farewell test in Sydney. I honestly doubt his body can get to the Ashes. Clarke can play at 20% in Sydney against this Indian side. Plonk him at mid on in the field.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I'm sorry, but...

Which part hasn't been 'watchable' enough for you?

The 151 on debut? Batting superbly to help us win the 07 WC? Taking a 3-fer at the end of the 5th day (second last over IIRC) of a test against India for the win? The absolute demolition of everything bowlers could throw at him during 2012, including a 329*, 210, 259* and 230? Leading Australia to a whitewash of the English to retake the urn?

I get that his off-field stuff hasn't been to everyone's taste, but how could you not enjoy watching this guy play cricket?

PLUS - he used to be a superb fielder before his body got the better of him.

He and Andrew Symonds were just spectacular when they were prowling around circle in one day matches.

 

[Tulip]

Some one on one coaching with Smith through his rehab into an Ashes swansong.

Hasn't Harris meant to have retired half a dozen times over the next three years?

 

[Juddism]

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.

it's the hamstring that's causing the back problems. He'll never be free of back problems whilst the hamstring continually fails.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Not if it means Wade is keeper! The bloke can't catch!

Wade is far better with the gloves than he was two years ago. However, the bloke can't catch.

 

[Ashton Agar]

In a way I'd give him the option of playing even at 20% for a farewell test in Sydney. I honestly doubt his body can get to the Ashes. Clarke can play at 20% in Sydney against this Indian side. Plonk him at mid on in the field.

Mid on was where he did this injury...

 

[MC Bad Genius]

it's the hamstring that's causing the back problems. He'll never be free of back problems whilst the hamstring continually fails.

I thought his back issues were due to a fused disc or something like that, that naturally deteriorates over time and then the stresses in his back put too much pressure on hamstrings?

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

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

Yes, I think he can continue playing Test cricket for another 2-3 years still, but only so long as he drops all other forms of the game from his calendar. As I've stated earlier, from what I understand about Clarke's back condition, it is very similar to mine, so I have some empathy as to what he would be going through.

IMHO, Just playing Sheffield Shield for NSW and Test matches for Australia, allowing him ample time to manage his injury, would see him remain in the game for the next few seasons.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

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.

This is the problem. Rest is possibly the worst thing you can do when managing his type of injury. Yes, rest so far as not playing so many matches, but the best thing you can do for his injury is to keep active in some way. These injuries are always worse in the morning because you've been inactive whilst asleep.

I can just imagine he woke in the morning, did his usual management regime, was feeling good, so he would have thought a day in the field was like a walk in the park. It's an amazing thing, you can be feeling wonderful one minute, and then crippled the next, and it takes almost nothing to trigger the pain, as we've seen with Clarke over the Adelaide Test.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I thought his back issues were due to a fused disc or something like that, that naturally deteriorates over time and then the stresses in his back put too much pressure on hamstrings?

Correct. Hamstring problems are usually born from back weakness, not the other way around.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Adelaide Hawk I get your point and maybe "rest" was the worng word. I'm not say he should be bed-rdden for the next six months, just not rush himself into games and too much. With the next test series so far off hopefully he can allow himself time to recover, without trying to meet a certain timeline.

 

[Adzam]

I'm sorry, but...

Which part hasn't been 'watchable' enough for you?

The 151 on debut? Batting superbly to help us win the 07 WC? Taking a 3-fer at the end of the 5th day (second last over IIRC) of a test against India for the win? The absolute demolition of everything bowlers could throw at him during 2012, including a 329*, 210, 259* and 230? Leading Australia to a whitewash of the English to retake the urn?

I get that his off-field stuff hasn't been to everyone's taste, but how could you not enjoy watching this guy play cricket?

Taking 3 wickets at end of that test against India. I remember that day so clearly. One of my all time favourite cricket moments. It will be hard to see him go.

 

[Theprofessional]

Remember that Indian match- was quite a push for Clarke to be given the ball (out of desperation) and was glad he delivered. Remember another match where he ripped them apart as well.

Clarke was a total champion- being fairly young I remember Clarke's debut and first real career I've been able track from start to end- the debut was just incredible and even this past match he was incredible. I think Ponting set the fielding standards- Clarke/Symonds followed them and now you can see today with Smith and a few others that those standards are still there.

Was a sensational batsmen- would be in my best 11 of my lifetime and has been a sensational captain through a lot more scrutiny than that which others have faced (with much of it being based on things like his look/life outside cricket/perceived as being soft). He's done a sensational job, won almost everything there is to win and has performed incredibly. I think when people compare him to others people are forgetting just how good his peak was- in 2012 he was totally unbowlable to and 2011/2013 was amazing from memory as well- injuries have well and truly prevented him from being everything he could- to think only 2 years ago he recorded all those centuries in one year.

Hope he comes back and manages to captain Australia through an Ashes Victory in England- as I think that's the last real notch that he'd need/want. But he's been sensational.

Best memories: The debut at home soil and overseas. Multiple destructions with the ball of India (if only he was fit enough to still bowl throughout his career).
329 not out- amazing and wasn't a selfish innings- retired to preserve records/when he'd saved and won the match.
4 double centuries in 2012. His peak is being criminally underrated- was unbelievably dominant.
Get ready for a broken ****ing arm

Legend.

 

[The Passenger]

It's worth pointing out his 2012 was the only time someone has hit 4 double tons in a calendar year. A lot of people don't realise what an achievement that was.

 

[Kappa]

Yes, I think he can continue playing Test cricket for another 2-3 years still, but only so long as he drops all other forms of the game from his calendar. As I've stated earlier, from what I understand about Clarke's back condition, it is very similar to mine, so I have some empathy as to what he would be going through.

IMHO, Just playing Sheffield Shield for NSW and Test matches for Australia, allowing him ample time to manage his injury, would see him remain in the game for the next few seasons.

2-3 years.. that's gotta be a joke

He might never play again

His back is permanently rooted and his hamstrings tear as soon as he has to put pressure on them

Next ashes will be his last series if he makes it to them, sad ending for a brilliant career

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

2-3 years.. that's gotta be a joke

He might never play again

His back is permanently rooted and his hamstrings tear as soon as he has to put pressure on them

Next ashes will be his last series if he makes it to them, sad ending for a brilliant career

Sorry, I didn't realise you were his physio, I was just offering an opinion.

 

[Gough]

I'm starting to worry that we will end up with a situation where we lose a whole lot of experience in one go, again.

 

[fantasyunit]

I'm starting to worry that we will end up with a situation where we lose a whole lot of experience in one go, again.

A little concerning, but with the bowlers waiting in the wings (Starc, Haze, Cummins, Bird), Wade behind Haddin, and Smith and Warner looking capable of carrying the batting, hopefully we're slightly more prepared this time. Would be nice if a couple of the young batsmen could pile more pressure on Rogers and Watto in the back half of the Shield.

Hoping Pup can play the ashes, he deserves to captain us to a win over there to end a brilliant career. We don't need him for the World Cup IMO.

 

[Macca81]

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

had to check myself. Debuted in 2004. Vividly remember him taking 3 wickets against India on day 5 with only 2 overs remaining. God that was a sweet victory.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Correct. Hamstring problems are usually born from back weakness, not the other way around.

Not necessarily, every case is different. Back pain can often be caused due to compensation of Multifidi, lower erector spinae and QL muscle's, which are forced to remain at increased tension due to a hamstring weakness and a pelvic tilt. It all depends on what the first injury was and how the compensation pattern developed.

 

[Ashton Agar]

2-3 years.. that's gotta be a joke

He might never play again

His back is permanently rooted and his hamstrings tear as soon as he has to put pressure on them

Next ashes will be his last series if he makes it to them, sad ending for a brilliant career

Wouldn't say captaining an Ashes win in England is a sad way to bow out!

A little concerning, but with the bowlers waiting in the wings (Starc, Haze, Cummins, Bird), Wade behind Haddin, and Smith and Warner looking capable of carrying the batting, hopefully we're slightly more prepared this time. Would be nice if a couple of the young batsmen could pile more pressure on Rogers and Watto in the back half of the Shield.

Hoping Pup can play the ashes, he deserves to captain us to a win over there to end a brilliant career. We don't need him for the World Cup IMO.

What we would give to have Phil Hughes in there as well to help cover the loss of experience!