Monday 6 December 2010

Second Test, Day Four: One For The Bowlologists

Question: Does Michael Clarke get out in the last over a lot more than other people, or it just more memorable when he does it?

One eye on the captaincy? 'I just want to apologise for not walking off the ground when I hit the ball' - Michael Clarke. This was a strange one: Tony Hill gave Clarke not out, and England called for the review. So why the apology?

Second best: 'He's a very important player in a rich vein of form, the second best batman this Ashes.' Graeme Swann on Mike Hussey. Wot, not KP, Swanny?

Better than Geoffrey's granny? 'My mother could have beaten me about the place that first morning in Brisbane' - Graeme Swann

Freddie's [Birthday] night: 'Now I'm 33, off for a civilised evening with the wife. It's what people my age do. Pedalo on standby just in case tho!' - via Twitter

Best served cold: 'Now the Aussies know what it felt like for the England team I played in getting battered every day LOL' - Darren Gough, via Twitter

Words we never used to have: 'I am the Bowlologist' - Damien Fleming, via Twitter

Phil Space Award - Over-Analysis of the Day: 'Before Michael Clarke drifted off to sleep on sunday night, he was doing what many modern-day Australian cricketers do - watching a romantic comedy on television. He was watching The Break Up, which is about a couple whose split becomes nasty and bitter. Given how Clarke's personal and professional life have been entwined this year, the irony was too tantalising and impossible to ignore' - Andrew Webster, Sydney Daily Telegraph

Glass half full [day two]: 'Simon Katich has almost no chance of playing again this series' - Malcolm Conn, The Australian

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

He doesn't just get out in the last over, that would be bearable as it wouldn't leave the rage-inducing North to face a couple of overs.

He gets out in the last 3 overs of play regularly.

Funniest thing I saw on the Indian tour was Marcus North getting, as nightwatchman, probably the only player in the team who gets more ducks than him: Mitchell Johnson.

Tony said...

Clarke Time debunked:

"...was dismissed just before the close of play"

Brit said...

Goodness me, Tony, now that's what I call research.

--

He was watching The Break Up, which is about a couple whose split becomes nasty and bitter. Given how Clarke's personal and professional life have been entwined this year, the irony was too tantalising and impossible to ignore

'Impossible' is a big word. But I'm intrigued by Webster's argument. Is he suggesting a metaphor in which 'Michael Clarke's Professional Life' and 'Michael Clarke's Personal Life' are personified as the man and woman in a couple, who subsequently have a nasty and bitter split? Deep waters indeed...

The Old Batsman said...

Tony - thanks. It was a genuine question. Clarke's just stick in the mind. Reminds me of how Michael Vaughan always seemed to be getting bowled, even though statistically he was no worse than most.

Brit - probably!