Clarke rues dramatic collapse
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke rued his side's inconsistency after it blew an advantageous position to lose a home test to New Zealand for the first time in more than a quarter of a century yesterday.
The Australians started the fourth day of the second test in Hobart on 72 without loss chasing 241 for victory but collapsed to 233 all out to lose by seven runs.
Kiwi paceman Doug Bracewell took six wickets in a devastating spell of bowling to fire his country to a dramatic first test victory over Australia since 1993.
As in last month's encounter with South Africa, where the Australians were bowled out for 47 in the first test, Clarke's team ended up drawing the series 1-1.
"It probably sums up where we are as a team, we've seen some patches of individual excellence, and even some as a team," he told reporters.
"We're playing very well in patches but you are seeing the other side as well, where we're letting ourselves down with really poor performances."
Despite having lost a test in Hobart for the first time, there were highlights for the Australians as they look forward to a four-test home series against India starting on December 26.
One was the performance of opener David Warner, who batted through the second innings for an unbeaten 123 and nearly steered the Australians to victory before he ran out of partners. The 25-year-old is a fine limited overs batsman who many had doubted could step up to the test arena but Clarke suggested his performance in his second test had cemented his place in the side for the India series.
"He's an amazing talent and has been for a long time, he's been keen to get an opportunity to play test cricket for Australia," said Clarke.
"He's made the most of his chances in Twenty20 and one-day cricket and showed again today that he's here to stay in test cricket as well."
Disappointed
Warner, though disappointed by the defeat, also felt he had proved a point. "I've always said I wanted to prove to people I could play longer form and now today it's overwhelming to show people what I've done," he said. "At the end of the day I've just proved to people I can play the longer form."
Another positive was the bowling of paceman James Pattinson, who took five-wicket hauls in both tests against New Zealand and was named player of the series.
The same could not be said of opener Phil Hughes, who was caught by Martin Guptill in the slips off the bowling of Chris Martin in all four innings of the series for a total of just 41 runs.
Clarke has been a staunch supporter of his New South Wales teammate but suggested time had finally run out for the 24-year-old.
"He's obviously really disappointed, like all the batters are, for the way we played today but Hughsey's obviously the most disappointed, he's been getting out the same way," he said. "(Hughes) needs some runs, no doubt, but he's not the only one, let me make that clear."
The Australians started the fourth day of the second test in Hobart on 72 without loss chasing 241 for victory but collapsed to 233 all out to lose by seven runs.
Kiwi paceman Doug Bracewell took six wickets in a devastating spell of bowling to fire his country to a dramatic first test victory over Australia since 1993.
As in last month's encounter with South Africa, where the Australians were bowled out for 47 in the first test, Clarke's team ended up drawing the series 1-1.
"It probably sums up where we are as a team, we've seen some patches of individual excellence, and even some as a team," he told reporters.
"We're playing very well in patches but you are seeing the other side as well, where we're letting ourselves down with really poor performances."
Despite having lost a test in Hobart for the first time, there were highlights for the Australians as they look forward to a four-test home series against India starting on December 26.
One was the performance of opener David Warner, who batted through the second innings for an unbeaten 123 and nearly steered the Australians to victory before he ran out of partners. The 25-year-old is a fine limited overs batsman who many had doubted could step up to the test arena but Clarke suggested his performance in his second test had cemented his place in the side for the India series.
"He's an amazing talent and has been for a long time, he's been keen to get an opportunity to play test cricket for Australia," said Clarke.
"He's made the most of his chances in Twenty20 and one-day cricket and showed again today that he's here to stay in test cricket as well."
Disappointed
Warner, though disappointed by the defeat, also felt he had proved a point. "I've always said I wanted to prove to people I could play longer form and now today it's overwhelming to show people what I've done," he said. "At the end of the day I've just proved to people I can play the longer form."
Another positive was the bowling of paceman James Pattinson, who took five-wicket hauls in both tests against New Zealand and was named player of the series.
The same could not be said of opener Phil Hughes, who was caught by Martin Guptill in the slips off the bowling of Chris Martin in all four innings of the series for a total of just 41 runs.
Clarke has been a staunch supporter of his New South Wales teammate but suggested time had finally run out for the 24-year-old.
"He's obviously really disappointed, like all the batters are, for the way we played today but Hughsey's obviously the most disappointed, he's been getting out the same way," he said. "(Hughes) needs some runs, no doubt, but he's not the only one, let me make that clear."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
