Should Michael Clarke Make a Test Comeback?
So Michael Clarke says he'd do anything to help Australian Cricket recover from the recent ball tampering scandal that has engulfed the Australian Team, but should that extend to a return to the national team?
In my opinion, the answer has to be a resounding "No!" and here's why.
Australia can't move forward by going back. In my opinion, if Australia is to put this horrible saga behind us, then we need a fresh start. Tim Paine was installed as captain for the final Test of the South African series, and whilst the final score was unflattering, he needs to be given a chance to make his mark in the role. Bringing back a former Captain has the potential to undermine his confidence.
Secondly, it has been suggested in some circles, that declining culture of the Australian national team began under Clarke's watch. After all, who can forget the famous incident between Clarke and teammate Simon Katich. Is this the kind of disharmony a recovering team needs in the dressing room?
Finally, we need to unearth the future of Australian Cricket. There will no doubt be some short term pain, but we need to look at grooming the next generation of Australian cricket heroes, and we need to do this the old fashioned way. Reward consistent high level performance. Go back to needing to make a pile of runs or take swags of wickets in domestic cricket over a few seasons before being given a Baggy Green. We need to make sure that players that are in the national team, are playing in the Sheffield Shield when not on national duty. Finally a clean out at administration level of Cricket HQ wouldn't go astray either.
Whilst we appreciate the offer Michael, we must respectfully decline. Enjoy your retirement and let Australian Cricket recover naturally.
Sources:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/389333.html
Is he even good enough to get in the team let alone captain them? Looking at Australia's upcoming schedule the next big series is the home tests against India. They've got some time to have a look at some players, get a new coach in and then make a decision. I agree with you that Clarke would be a backwards step. Having said that, as an Englishman by all means recall him ;-)
I certainly don't think he'd be reinstalled as captain, but I think he's probably be good enough to still get a game (let's face it, our middle order aren't exactly looking Bradmanesque of late). In doing so, however, it would be a short term fix with no long term benefits. We need to let Paine forge his own culture without going back.
Which young Australian players do you think might get a run in the test team now? Whenever I see Marcus Stoinis play in any form of cricket I think he looks like a top player, good technique, hits the ball hard and can bowl handy overs as well.
Stoinis looks OK, but seems to be behind Mitch Marsh in the all-rounder stakes. Selectors do seem to have a bit of an infatuation with Glenn Maxwell, so I'd expect he'll come in. Renshaw will rightly get his chance to hold down an opening spot, but not sure who will open with him. Selectors may go for the aggression of Finch or look to someone like Joe Burns or George Bailey to add some more experience to the side. Personally I'd like to see Travis Head get a bit of a look in.
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