Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Depth pleases Clarke

Clarke praises Aussie depth

07/09/2008 9:52 AM

Related Links

Stand-in Australian captain Michael Clarke is extremely pleased with the versatility that the one-day line-up exhibited in its 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh in the Top End.

The Aussies wrapped up the three-match series on Saturday and Clarke believes that the team's depth with both the ball and bat played a pivotal role in the whitewash.

"It's been fantastic, I haven't had to bowl a ball which has been great," Clarke said following Australia's 73-run win in the third and final match.

"I think that's been the strength of the Australian side for a long time now in one-day cricket. There's plenty of guys that, I guess, play that part-time role that, whether it's with the ball or with the bat."

"We've got a long batting line-up (with) James Hopes coming in at No.8 who's, as you've seen in the first game opened the batting for us, (we had) Dave Hussey bowling a bit today."

"We've got a lot of guys that can do both bat and bowl and I think it obviously holds the Australian cricket team, for one-day cricket, in good stead."

The 27-year-old admitted it felt good to captain his country to a series victory in the absence of regular skipper Ricky Ponting.

"I think he'll (Ponting) be more than happy for me to raise the trophy today, I spoke to him a couple of days ago and he's happy with how things were going," he said.

"I've certainly enjoyed my time as captain but I'm more than happy to give it back to 'Punter' for a little while yet."

With the comprehensive defeat of the Bangladeshis behind it, Australia now turns its attention to India.

And with the much-anticipated Test series just a month away, Clarke feels that the Aussies' recent time spent in Darwin will help them acclimatise quicker to the conditions on the subcontinent.

"It's probably been great preparation, it's been so warm up here, the guys have had a great time, we've had brilliant training facilities, we've been doing plenty of fitness," said Clarke.

"I think all the boys are in pretty good shape and looking forward to getting over to India and having a good Test series."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

Latest Headlines

 
 
CA: Ponting is fine
CA: Ponting is fine
Cricket
03/12/2008 3:37 PM
Australian captain Ricky Ponting's career is not under threat in any way. That was the ...
 
 
Hopes inspires Bulls
Cricket
03/12/2008 7:39 PM
 
Tigers need 212
Cricket
03/12/2008 7:07 PM
 
Jaques eyeing return
Cricket
03/12/2008 4:52 PM
 
Player safety the key
Cricket
03/12/2008 7:42 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Our Say

 
 
Paul Gough
Lee and Haddin shine
Paul Gough
Brett Lee's timely return to form and Brad Haddin's confidence-boosting century were ...more
Paul Gough
Queensland trio the focus
Paul Gough
All eyes will be on a trio of Queenslanders when the second Test against New Zealand gets ...more