Australia captain Michael Clarke has confirmed his deputy Shane Watson will continue to open the batting in South Africa, despite media reports claiming the all-rounder was contemplating a move down the order to revive his form.
Australia's journey back up the Test world rankings is not going to happen overnight but the upcoming series in Sri Lanka will be an indication of their current status, captain Michael Clarke said on Thursday.
'...according to me Australia should have gone to India earlier. The preparation was not up to the mark at all. If you couldn't go to India, you should have gone to the UAE at least to prepare for a tour like this.'
What's interesting is now fans are questioning the reasons and persons behind their retirements.
'For him to go away for an eight-week tournament and quarantine before the tournament starts - call it 11 weeks. I don't think he is going to give up 11 weeks away from his family and his partner for US$ 380,000.'
Michael Clarke produced a brilliant all-round performance as Australia staged a dramatic recovery to beat Pakistan by 27 runs and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The captain smashed a solid 66 and then bowling for the first time in the series, snared three wickets to seal victory in the 48th over.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke stated that David Warner's talent kept his contract from being "ripped up" early in his career.
Down with a recurrent back injury, Australia's regular skipper Michael Clarke said the actions of David Warner and other teammates in Birmingham had an "impact on his leadership".
Captain Michael Clarke rode his luck to score 139 and help steer Australia to a 132-run first innings lead over New Zealand with a total of 427 on the third day of the first Test on Saturday.
Australian captain Michael Clarke, who played for Pune Warriors in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League, believes the cash-rich tournament will sustain despite being marred by endless controversies.
Michael Clarke struck a sublime century to become his country's highest Test run-scorer in a calendar year as Australia marched to an imperious 278-run lead at the close of day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Mickey Arthur has blown the divisive feud between Michael Clarke and Shane Watson out of the proportion and the root of the rift between two players has been the all-rounder's shuffling around the Test match batting order by the Aussie skipper, believes legendary spinner Shane Warne.
Australia captain Michael Clarke hopes to be fit to return for Monday's final ICC Champions Trophy Group A game against Sri Lanka after missing the first two matches with a back injury.
Putting to rest speculation about Michael Clarke's dipping popularity within the national cricket team, coach Darren Lehmann said that Australian captain occupies the second-most important position after the Prime Minister and everyone wants him to be fit and raring to go.
Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed the Men's Test Player-of-the-Year award. It marked his first Australian Cricket Award, with Hazlewood taking 30 wickets at just 13.16 in Tests against the West Indies, New Zealand, and India.
A bizarre standoff between Michael Clarke and selectors over the Australia captain's hopes of playing the first Test against India next week remained unresolved on Tuesday after the nation's cricket board dug in its heels.
Mark Butcher has backed the hosts to come good against Australia in the upcoming Ashes series but said that Michael Clarke is ahead of Alastair Cook in terms of "forward thinking" as a leader.
Australia Test and One-day captain Michael Clarke has defended his players against match-fixing allegations after a sports agent said the country's top cricketers were "the biggest" culprits.
Australian captain Michael Clarke has told Ricky Ponting that he has his number and he should call him if there is anything worth talking about as the pair wrestle publicly over comments in the former captain's book.
In October 2004, a 23-year-old went out to bat in the Chinnaswamy stadium and returned having made 151. It was a memorable debut.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting feels the team's pacers should not shy away from using the bouncer in the Test series against India starting on Tuesday.
Opener David Warner is a rare talent and the X-factor he brings to the Australian team more than makes up for the odd ugly dismissal, captain Michael Clarke said on Thursday.
Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed unhappiness with his bowlers after the three-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday. Despite posting a competitive 280 on the board in the league match of the ongoing ODI tri-series the Aussies ended up on the losing side.
Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are on even keel as far as leadership qualities are concerned, feels former Australia skipper Michael Clarke even though he rates the Indian captain as a slightly better ODI batsman.
Australian vice captain Michael Clarke is being forced to receive daily treatment on his troublesome back to be ready in time for next week's opening Test against the West Indies at Gabba.
Australia have an unassailable lead in hand but skipper Michael Clarke says he wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a 4-0 whitewash of India in the ongoing cricket Test series.
However, he didn't rule out that some players might have harboured thoughts about Clarke's assumption that they "sucked up to" Indian skipper Virat Kohli in fear of losing out on IPL pay-checks.
The right-hander said Australia will have to be at their best to beat the West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy final.
Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has said that he would like to take part in the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) to prepare for that year's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Describing Michael Hussey as a match winner, Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke on Wednesday said the left-handed batsman has a huge to role play in their World Cup title defence.
Michael Clarke still has fitness tests to pass to meet his deadline to be ready for the second group match against Bangladesh.
In his quest for a 4-0 whitewash, Australian skipper Michael Clarke said his team would not show any sympathy to Sachin Tendulkar, who remains unbeaten at the end of day two of the fourth Test in Adelaide and desperately seeks his 100th international century.
Michael Clarke, on Thursday, became the third batsman to score a triple-century against India. Rajneesh Gupta makes note of the other two batsmen who decimated Indian bowling are...
Australia might have taken an invincible 3-0 lead over India in the four-match Test series but skipper Michael Clarke doesn't want to take his foot off the pedal and said his team's goal is to be the No 1 side in the world.
Harry Brook matched the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's career-high of 898 rating points in the ICC Test batting rankings.
Australia intend to go all out for a win in the fifth Test against England starting at the Oval on Thursday rather than settle for the draw that would ensure they retain the Ashes.
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said every member of his team has to deliver in the Test series against India as opener Ed Cowan's inclusion at the expense of an experienced Phil Hughes has made it clear that players cannot take their place for granted.
Struggling Australian stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has turned to his childhood mentor and Indian-origin coach Neil D'Costa in a bid to revive his batting form ahead of the upcoming World Cup in the sub-continent.
Rajaneesh Gupta lists the amazing numbers that make Rohit Sharma one of the finest ODI batters of his time.
