Canine Fanciers,
So, MJ Clarke picks up the MOFTS Award for the three tests against those sterling chaps from Ceylon, and some gong called the McGilvray Medal.
Largely for his captaincy you would have thought [although he seemed to have had a peyote moment when he sent them in in Sydney. Isn't the mantra, particularly when at the SCG, when winning the toss "think about sending them in for a moment, and then bat"? Don't want to be caught batting last on a wicked turner. Got out of that one by only five wickets, by the way].
Mind you, he was pretty handy with the bat too, making 74, 57 [rtd hurt], 106, DNB, 50 & 29.
Kept this season's average in the stratosphere.
Anyone would be happy with that, more so the skippy.
Deported himself rather well on the field and in the pavilion, used his authority to good effect; in the rare moments of heatedness among the players, defused the excitable ones with his cool determined demeanour reminding them that they have to keep their minds on winning the game, but was never short of a laugh on the paddock, and got on well with the umpires.
For what more could you ask, Australia?
Given the level of applause for his batting in Melbourne and Sydney, the general public in the bleachers might just at last appear to be warming to his superlative cover driving, straight hitting, and that miraculous late square cut where he's 110% committed to the shot the moment it pitches, otherwise, leave well alone.
Never mind that he's without doubt the best player of spin in the world game at the minute who's not afraid of using his feet against the slow men and getting out of his ground to smack 'em to all parts, or the fact that he must be the finest exponent of leg side play in the modern era.
Now, it's obvious that people, some of whom are even unknown to me, have accused me of being in love with the bloke, and someone who would enjoy nothing more than being bummed by Pup, but c'mon, let's face it, he's grown up to be a dead-set genius, as people who actually saw him debut and play in the first class caper with their own eyes at the ground [like me] all those years ago now, thought and hoped, he might.
Still, he could do well to sack himself as a selector.
Little point being associated with the Chairman & and The Faceless Men who are clearly on drugs.
India will be the usual time-honoured grinding, agonising affair - the toughest test of endurance you can get - especially without that fearless player on low slow turners, MEK Hussey.
But, who can blame him for not wanting to go there anymore?
Clarkey's bad hammy, damaged knee, and his chronic Shagger's Back will get a genuine work out there.
In general terms, the only time the Australian captain is a selector in times-gone-by is when he is on tour, so perhaps he has no choice now.
But sure as hell, they/he better pick the best available in-form 12 from the touring party against Engerland each and every game, with the idiocy of sports trick-cyclist's so called "rotation policy" well and truly consigned to the history books, otherwise the Poms will have us for breakfast, like choice kippers on lightly buttered toast.
PS.
Off topic.
Best sight in cricket so far this year?
The Great SK Warne grabbing MN Samuels by the front of his shirt and getting right into his face, giving him both barrels.
Priceless.
Can't buy that sort of publicity.
One game ban and $4.5K fine a small price to pay.
In fact, for mine, CA should have given him a medal.
