1st Test: Clarke's hundred puts Australia in control
Captain hits 139 as hosts take 122-run lead against New Zealand.
BRISBANE:
Michael Clarke hit a charmed century while Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin eased the pressure on their Test careers with half-centuries as Australia took charge on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand.
Helped by sloppy Kiwi fielding, the Australians put themselves in a strong position with a commanding 427 in their first-innings to seize a 132-run lead. The Kiwis lost the key wicket of Brendon McCullum to be 10 for one and trail by 122 runs at stumps. Martin Guptill was unbeaten on seven with night-watchman Doug Bracewell yet to score.
New Zealand's hopes of a first victory in Australia for 26 years faded after they dropped Clarke twice on 85 and 105 on his way to 139. He was also bowled off a no-ball on Friday. Clarke said that it was important Australia scored 400 in their first-innings to lay the foundation for a possible win.
"Once I got that early life, it was important to go on and make a big score," he said. "I don't care how we get to 400. I'm not really bothered who makes them. If we can make 400 every innings we play, we won't lose too many Test matches."
Kiwi fast-bowler Chris Martin, who dismissed Clarke on the fourth ball after tea said 'inept' fielding had cost the Black Caps.
"There were good periods of building up pressure, but when we got that opportunity we didn't take it and they changed the momentum through our ineptness with the catching," he said.
Clarke stroked 19 fours and a six and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 108 with Haddin (80). The wicket-keeper's fine innings included two sixes and six boundaries. Martin was the pick of the bowlers with three for 89.
Clarke happy with crowd support
Clarke was also happy at the standing ovation the Gabba crowd gave him after he was booed at the same ground a year earlier in a match against England.
"It's always nice that your home fans support you," he said. "It's probably a little bit of an expectation. "For me, it's about scoring runs and helping the team win. Hopefully, I can continue to earn the public's respect."
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2011.
Michael Clarke hit a charmed century while Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin eased the pressure on their Test careers with half-centuries as Australia took charge on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand.
Helped by sloppy Kiwi fielding, the Australians put themselves in a strong position with a commanding 427 in their first-innings to seize a 132-run lead. The Kiwis lost the key wicket of Brendon McCullum to be 10 for one and trail by 122 runs at stumps. Martin Guptill was unbeaten on seven with night-watchman Doug Bracewell yet to score.
New Zealand's hopes of a first victory in Australia for 26 years faded after they dropped Clarke twice on 85 and 105 on his way to 139. He was also bowled off a no-ball on Friday. Clarke said that it was important Australia scored 400 in their first-innings to lay the foundation for a possible win.
"Once I got that early life, it was important to go on and make a big score," he said. "I don't care how we get to 400. I'm not really bothered who makes them. If we can make 400 every innings we play, we won't lose too many Test matches."
Kiwi fast-bowler Chris Martin, who dismissed Clarke on the fourth ball after tea said 'inept' fielding had cost the Black Caps.
"There were good periods of building up pressure, but when we got that opportunity we didn't take it and they changed the momentum through our ineptness with the catching," he said.
Clarke stroked 19 fours and a six and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 108 with Haddin (80). The wicket-keeper's fine innings included two sixes and six boundaries. Martin was the pick of the bowlers with three for 89.
Clarke happy with crowd support
Clarke was also happy at the standing ovation the Gabba crowd gave him after he was booed at the same ground a year earlier in a match against England.
"It's always nice that your home fans support you," he said. "It's probably a little bit of an expectation. "For me, it's about scoring runs and helping the team win. Hopefully, I can continue to earn the public's respect."
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2011.