Michael Clarke not quite finished and Steve Smith barely started

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England v Australia: 3rd Investec Ashes Test - Day One

It’s possible that we jumped the gun in saying that we might not see much more of Michael Clarke. We’ve reached this conclusion on the basis that he made a hundred as recently as today.

Watching Clarke teeter and gallumph about, it’s clear that the spirit is willing but the tendons are inflamed, but you can get a long way with spirit – just ask Steve Smith.

We’ve previously said that at some point we’ll come to terms with Steve Smith’s run-scoring. We’re not sure we’re quite there yet, but a good innings is at least no longer a surprise. In fact, we’ve reached a point where we’re faintly outraged when he’s omitted from the Australia side. He pretty much always scores runs and he tends to do so in the right sort of manner for the situation as well.

Good cricketer. Weird batsman, weirder bowler, but good cricketer.

7 comments

  1. I had the (mis)fortune of engaging an Australian in conversation the other day.

    He was positive that Smith is a future captain of Australia.

    1. Sounds like self inflicted misfortune to me, Dandy Dan.

      Don’t expect sympathy from this quarter.

      Of course, in our country, some people mistakenly thought they were being described as “future England captain” by those around them. Ask Mr Atherton, FEC, back in the day when he was known as Mike and he started playing for Lancashire.

      But back to Mr Smith (Steve, not MJK OBE) – any thoughts on what else FCA might stand for, people?

    2. At this point Smith captaining Australia seems more likely than not.

      It’s not as though there are many other options.

  2. From Cricinfo:

    Dilshan to Taylor, a little short and belted down the ground, pulled right back past the bowler and it’s four inside long-on

    Harsh.

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