Michael Clarke - Is the end very near?

[madunit]

Clarke was a great batsmen but he was never a versatile batsmen. He only really had one style, rip in. He didn't have the patience of a S.Waugh or the ability to change and adapt to new conditions like Ponting.

And he wasn't the greatest tactically like Taylor either.

But, he managed to get the most out of largely, some of the worst crop of players this country has produced at Test level over the last 20 years.

With Clarke's retirement, (as well as some of the 30+ aged guys in the coming months/years) we will see the full transition into T20 Test cricket.

God f**king help us.

 

[The Charlatan]

T20 has f**ked the game.

f**k the English for devising it, and f**k the Indians for turning it into a circus.

 

[undertaker]

T20 has f**ked the game.

f**k the English for devising it, and f**k the Indians for turning it into a circus.

The first T20 match I saw was Australia A vs Pakistan at Adelaide Oval in 2005, and I admit I was a fan when I first saw it. At the time, I thought it was innovative and unique given the quality of cricket in the 50-over format was on the decline, not to mention the numerous rule changes that have occurred in it since the beginning of the 21st century. I loved it when T20 was just the one-off T20 international per summer (during 2005/06-2007/08, before the introduction of the IPL). T20 was like the Hors d'oeuvre of a meal to the entree (ODIs) and main course (test matches). Also, back then, the ICC had a restriction on the number of T20 internationals that could be played in any country's cricket season (2, IIRC). And I was a fan of the original KFC T20 tournament when it was the state franchise format vs the current city franchise format, where the tournament was shorter, it wasn't interrupting the Sheffield Shield schedule or domestic one-day schedule (which has now been compressed into one month, like CA don't give a stuff about it and just want it out of the way ASAP compared to the prestige of the former MMC/ING Cup tournaments when they'd still attract good crowds on a Sunday at North Sydney Oval and other venues) and fans from the regional areas of the states could identify with the state franchises and domestic players weren't jumping back and forth between states in the city franchise format etc.

It is when the IPL started in 2008, the millions of dollars that were thrown at players, the unorthodox batting techniques from T20 that slowly made its way into test matches, and the subsequent massive increase of T20 matches that have since turned me off. As a result, other than the six-a-thon and who can hit the longest sixes, T20 has become boring and the tactics of nearly every team have become too predictable. T20 now panders to the "American" aspect of society: wanting a quick result, all the theatrics such as music being played over the loud speakers between every ball, the geniused IPL trumpet that is played ad nauseum, skimpy cheerleaders dancing on podiums, players entering the arena on a red carpet (a.l.a Academy Awards style), fire flames on the perimiter of the ground, commentators interviewing players mic'd up on the field during the match, detracting from the professionalism of the event and rendered it nothing more than exhibition Mickey Mouse status and the list goes on.

Funny how the IPL was created off the back of India's success in the first 2007 World T20 in South Africa. I often wondered what would've happened had Pakistan reigned triumphant on that day and not fallen 5 runs short. Interest in international T20s in Australia has tapered off though. Remember that first T20 at the MCG in 2008 that got 85k? Sir Geoffrey (Boycott) was correct during the early years of T20: that T20 was only going to sustain interest in the long-term with the traditionists whilst the test players kept showing up. The minute test players were starting to be rested in place of domestic/state players who were then moulded into specialist T20 players, the traditionists weren't going to part with $100+ per ticket to see a bunch of random nobodys wildly swinging a bat around for 20 overs.

 

[The Charlatan]

It's f**king criminal when it's considered that a 3 hour slogfest that is engineered for batsmen is where all the money is.

 

[undertaker]

It's f**king criminal when it's considered that a 3 hour slogfest that is engineered for batsmen is where all the money is.

And so what happens when you take the mindset of a flat-track 3 hour slogfest into a 5 day test match on a seaming pitch?

Nek minnit....4 sub-100 innings scores over the past 5 years

2010 Headingley 1st innings: all out for 88 from 33.1 overs
2010 Melbourne 1st innings: all out for 98 from 42.5 overs
2011 Cape Town 2nd innings: all out for 47 from 18 overs
2015 Trent Bridge 1st innings: all out for 60 from 18.3 overs

 

[jargan83]

Funny how the IPL was created off the back of India's success in the first 2007 World T20 in South Africa. I often wondered what would've happened had Pakistan reigned triumphant on that day and not fallen 5 runs short.

Very good point, India were originally against the T20 format weren't they?

 

[elbusto]

I am looking forward to the day when Clarke stops hiding in Warne's skirts and speaks for himself. Listening to that dumbass Warne spruiking Clarkes animosity to Lehmann and anybody else for that matter is pathetic and tiresome.

 

[JJ]

Clarke has a different image to protect, so I imagine Warne will continue in the glove puppet role

If Clarke did speak out, I suspect there'd be more candid responses from those who see things differently, and have retired - only imbeciles take Warne seriously, and Warne doesn't seem to have the balls to bag the likes of Hayden who's comments about Clarke were rather telling

There's always two sides to every story, and always rifts in cricket teams - nothing really unique here except that the plastic bogan seems to think he's a knight in shining armour defending the honour of his princess

 

[Timbo]

Very good point, India were originally against the T20 format weren't they?

I'm fairly certain the BCCI still doesnt permit limited overs cricket for junior cricket in India.

 

[TheParraboy]

Sony paid 1 billion for the first 10 years of the IPL.
I read in one year , 2010 IPL I think?, they got over 7 billion return in selling the rights
So they have made a squillion

The IPL is massive in India. Doesn't matter if a t20 international in Australia plumments to 20k crowds. Its all about what happens in India

 

[Twizzle]

I am looking forward to the day when Clarke stops hiding in Warne's skirts and speaks for himself. Listening to that dumbass Warne spruiking Clarkes animosity to Lehmann and anybody else for that matter is pathetic and tiresome.

What a load of shit

I'm sure Carkey is just as embarrassed about Warnie's rants as anyone else is.

Since when has Clarkey never spoken for himself ?

 

[elbusto]

What a load of shit

I'm sure Carkey is just as embarrassed about Warnie's rants as anyone else is.

Since when has Clarkey never spoken for himself ?

Since Warne did all the talking for him. Clarke is gutless.

 

[Twizzle]

lol,

Warnie had his rant after Clarkie announced his retirement, he has has squat to say prior to that

 

[elbusto]

lol,

Warnie had his rant after Clarkie announced his retirement, he has has squat to say prior to that

You have a very selective memory.

 

[undertaker]

Since Warne did all the talking for him. Clarke is gutless.

Warne has always been Clarke's mouthpiece in the media since he got the captaincy in 2011.

Do ppl really think Clarke would have had the guts to drop Warne from the side in the deciding 4th test of the 1999 tour of West Indies like Steve Waugh did? Not a chance in hell

 

[JJ]

Clarke's public image is more contrived and plastic than Warne's face - that's why he divides opinion...

 

[elbusto]

Clarke's public image is more contrived and plastic than Warne's face - that's why he divides opinion...

Yep

 

[BadSport]

He carried the side there for a while. I never liked the twat, he never had to fight his way in. But you can't deny that he stepped up. A good captain scores a shitload of runs, and he did that.

It is gutless for past players to bag him now, regardless of how much it is deserved. Haven't heard anything from Katto. He's got too much pride to give a comment.

 

[TheParraboy]

He carried the side there for a while. I never liked the twat, he never had to fight his way in. But you can't deny that he stepped up. A good captain scores a shitload of runs, and he did that.

It is gutless for past players to bag him now, regardless of how much it is deserved. Haven't heard anything from Katto. He's got too much pride to give a comment.

They were respectfull enough not to bag the likes of Tubby, Tugger and Punter

 

[madunit]

Random stats time.

How our past 5 regular test captains have performed in their last tests with the bat. Criteria is based on performances after their 3rd last century.

Border - 22 tests, 32 Inns, 2 NO, 1199 Runs @ 39.97 - 6 x 50's, 2 x 100's with HS of 200*
Taylor - 12 tests, 22 Inns, 2 NO, 936 Runs @ 46.80 - 4 x 50's, 2 x 100's with HS of 334*
Waugh - 9 tests, 13 Inns, 4 NO, 748 Runs @ 83.11 - 4 x 50's, 2 x 100's with HS of 156*
Ponting - 27 tests, 48 Inns, 2 NO, 1608 Runs @ 34.96 - 12 x 50's, 2 x 100's with HS of 221
Clarke* - 17 tests, 31 Inns, 5 NO, 725 Runs @ 27.88 - 0 x 50's, 2 x 100's with HS of 161*
*2nd Inns of his last test still to come.