I played for the team, says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 – Cricket News Update
Michael Clarke steered http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 to a commanding position in the ongoing Sydney Test against India by smashing an unbeaten 329. He helped the side reach 659/4 before deciding to declare the innings.
Many analyst expressed concerns over Clarke’s move, since he was just five runs short of breaking the record of Sir Don Bradman and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mark-Anthony-Taylor-c74540 - the two former Australian with 334 runs each to their name in a Test innings.
Clarke, however, clarified that he was not thinking of any individual feat, and his focus was entirely on taking the side to a winning position.
"I didn't think about it at all, I didn't have Don Bradman or Mark Taylor's score in my head whatsoever. It was about trying to get the team to a number, a total I thought would be a good score to make a declaration, then have a
crack this afternoon to get a couple of wickets,” said http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120.
The 30-year-old skipper added, "I think it is about putting the team first, that's why we play. I've always been like that as a player and I'll be no different as a captain. If it was best for the team to continue batting I would
have continued to bat."
Thanks to Clarke’s brilliant knock, the Australian side gained a massive lead of 468 runs in reply to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 and boosted his team’s chances
of winning the game comprehensively.
In the second innings, the Indians had lost two big wickets of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Dravid-c2229 for only 114 runs before the stumps on the third day of the match. The Kangaroos are on the driving seat at the moment, but the skipper
is not ready to rejoice prior to the conclusion of the game.
Although, the right-handed batsman was delighted to score his best score in the longest version of the game, he made it clear that he will relish his success only if the team clinches the victory in the second game.
The hosts are already 1-0 ahead in the series, and a win at SCG will enhance their chances to win the four-match series.
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