TOPIC:

I got to do a reversal about my opinion of Clark. I thought he was just a nutless pretty boy as a captain of the Aussie cricket team. I'm very happy to say that I was a million miles off. The guy is really growing into the job and has guts. Happy to say my opinion of him was wrong.

Fair enough 58....what were your reasons for thinking he was a nutless pretty boy?

Also, what were the reasons of you changing your stance on the matter? Was it his century where he did he roughed up a fair bit, but didn't crack?

I would have liked him to declare a little earlier than they did last night, as was mentioned by the commentators Watson should have come in at first drop, followed by Smith to smash the ball around, could have gotten to 500-550 lead and saved about 10 or so overs if they went that strategy. Might have been able to wrap it up yesterday, or atleast had them 5-6 out. Still, in a commanding lead, just need to wrap up those wickets tonight to ensure the Win.

I reckon Clarke did the right thing in batting Doolan at 3.. the experience for him will be of huge benefit for him.. he is going to be good. Pretty sure Boof, Clarke & Warne new what they were doing in regards to the declaration.. SA will be lucky to make 200..

Soprano wrote: Fair enough 58....what were your reasons for thinking he was a nutless pretty boy?

Also, what were the reasons of you changing your stance on the matter? Was it his century where he did he roughed up a fair bit, but didn't crack?

I would have liked him to declare a little earlier than they did last night, as was mentioned by the commentators Watson should have come in at first drop, followed by Smith to smash the ball around, could have gotten to 500-550 lead and saved about 10 or so overs if they went that strategy. Might have been able to wrap it up yesterday, or atleast had them 5-6 out. Still, in a commanding lead, just need to wrap up those wickets tonight to ensure the Win.

My initial perception of him was assumed from well documented articles and info about him and how I saw him on the field. No, one game doesn't change a person's(or at least my) view. I started to realize I was wrong during the Ashes tests when he, IMHO started to show the mongrel that many of our Aussie captains have had. I honestly believe he has developed as a captain from that series on.

Australian cricket change in fortune comes from things, they are living off the form of one bowler and the change in the teams attitude, culture and tactics brought on by a new coach.

His Century in the 2nd innings was a great fighting innings and he needs to produce more of these

Good win to beat the Number 1 test team on their home soil.

Still would have liked Clarke to declare a little earlier. But that being said, he got the job done and as it went so close, will go down as one of the better test matches in history.

Soprano wrote: Good win to beat the Number 1 test team on their home soil.

Still would have liked Clarke to declare a little earlier. But that being said, he got the job done and as it went so close, will go down as one of the better test matches in history.

Its an interesting debate isnt it Soprano. I think he timed it perfectly (history will sat he had 27 balls up his sleeve.) The question to ask is, if they needed to bowl more than 125 overs (I think that was the number of overs left in the match for the last innings) would he have had the bowlers left with energy to do the job.

I think most of the bowlers had hit the wall by late on day 5.

Good to see Steve Smith bowling well, id get warner back to bowling leggies also, that then gives them three top order batsmen that can bowl spinners (Smith, Warner and even the pup as required) to back up the three quicks, Watson and Lyon.

Gives the captain great flexibilty in all conditions with that many bowling options

I agree with Soprano. On that pitch Clarke should have been a little more creative with his declaration in that he needed to dangle a carrot to make South Africa play a bit more positively. Maybe 450 lead, no way South Africa would have got that but it may have had them less into a blocking mode to keep their options open, which then in turn may have created more opportunities for the Aussies to take wickets. IMO Clarke always intended to declare half an hour before tea, and he may have thought he would be around 425 - 450 in the lead, but Warner stuffed up that plan by scoring too fast!
Sure the plan worked to a point when South Africa were 3 for 15 at tea but wickets were hard after that and Clarke can thank his lucky stars that all of his pace bowlers went through a brick wall for him. If South Africa had drawn the game still needing over 200 for victory the declaration may have been a talking point
Some times on a placid pitch a captain needs to risk losing in order to win a game. Ian Chappell was the master of this and he won a lot more than he lost.

Overall I think Clarke is a very positive leader and his good relationship with Lehmann has been instrumental in the teams fantastic performance this summer

quite surprised no one has mentioned Ryan Harris......geez that fella is tough...bowled 25 overs, at the end of back to back ashes and a Saffie tour, on basically one knee......the fella is all guts, when he retires he should be offered a position on Australia's rehab team.....not from a medical perspective but from a 'stop whinging and being a soft c*ck' perspective....

amazing how rotation was the buzz word 6 months ago....hopefully youngsters in Pattinson, Cummins, Starc......and even Mitch Marsh, take a look at Harris and say geez if this old fella can do it, then so can I! If those boys can inherit a fraction of Harris's war horse mentality, then Australian cricket, from a bowling perspective, will be top notch for many years to come.

The thing about Harris I like is that he doesn't complain....he knows he is living the dream....getting paid decent money for doing what he loves and representing his country to boot.....too many young sportsman hide their egos,fears and insecurities behind the injury excuse......stop your whinging and just get on with it.....though I reckon Rhino will be in a wheel chair by the time he is 40!