Michael Clarke apologizes
Australia’s middle order batsmen, Michael Clarke has apologized for not walking off after he was caught at short leg by Alastair Cook. Clarke was sent packing on 80 by part time off-spinner Kevin Pieterson, in the final over marking
the end of the day’s play. Australia are now 137 runs behind England’s first innings lead, with six wickets in hand.
The incident occurred in Pieterson’s second over when Clarke nicked a spinning delivery into the hands of the waiting Cook at short leg. Clarke immediately took a few steps towards the pavilion but decided to stay, after realizing
that umpire Tony Hill had not raised his finger. England Captain Andrew Strauss immediately opted for a referral, which clearly showed contact with the bat.
Clarke has posted a message on his Twitter page saying, “Just want to apologize for not walking off the ground tonight when I hit the ball. I was just so disappointed; my emotions got the best of me.”
Michael Hussey, who was standing at the other end of the pitch, commented on the incident, “I just remember looking back at the umpire and yelling no, no, no. So I didn't know what was going on down end. By the time I turned around,
they pretty much referred it straight away and I could tell in Michael's body language that he thought he was out.”
He also stated that Clarke was “pretty distraught” in the dressing room, as his dismissal has put Australia in a spot of bother after an excellent fight back. Hussey praised Clarke’s performance saying, “It would have really capped
off a great day because he played awesome cricket today. He played like the Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 we love and have loved watching play over the last few years.”
Clarke and Hussey put on a partnership of 104 runs which had put http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in a fighting position. Clarke’s Wicket in which turned out to be the final bowl of the day has placed England in a strong position on the final day of
the test. Marcus North, who has been completely out of form, will join Hussey at the start of play on day five of the second Ashes Test.
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