Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke who has been under immense scrutiny following his dismal performance for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 during the last year, has failed to capitalise on yet another chance after he was well set at 80 to lead Australia out of the quagmire
they found themselves in.
However in the last over of the day, off the bowling of Kevin Pietersen, he attempted to play a defensive stroke that caught a thick inside edge before it went straight into the hands of Alastair Cook at short leg.
The right handed batsman took a few short steps tentatively to walk towards the dressing room but then, he turned around to stand his ground after he realised that the umpire had not given him out. England were however quick to refer it to the third umpire.
The replays showed that Clarke was out.
"Just want to apologise for not walking off the ground tonight when I hit the ball," Michael Clarke wrote on Twitter. "I was just so disappointed; my emotions got the better of me."
Michael Hussey also remarked how he had looked at Clarke and hoped he wasn’t out but when he saw the look on Clarke’s face it said it all.
"It was a real sombre way for us to finish the day because we fought pretty hard and it would have been nice to go in three-down. It would have really capped off a great day because he played awesome cricket today. He played like the Michael Clarke we love
and have loved watching play over the last few years," Michael Hussey remarked.
Hussey and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 were batting along quite well and did prove to be a glimmer of hope for the Australians to help the team force a draw. However with the dismissal of Clarke things look rather difficult. Hussey admitted that his team was outplayed by England
however he vowed to fight back.
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