Five Best Innings of Michael Clarke

Here we will look at the five best innings of Michael Clarke. He is one of the best batsmen of the world among the current generation of cricketers. He is gifted and exceptionally talented. Australian team has been very much reliant on him over the past few years. He has taken the baton to lead Australia with his batting after the retirement of many Australian greats. He has played many great innings in his career and here are his best 5:

5. 82* vs New Zealand (ODI)

Leading the three match ODI series by 1-0, the visitors came to Wellington for the second game up against the hosts with the positive intention of winning the series. Confident Australian skipper elected to bat first, but his confidence was tattered when the scorecard read 101 for 4. Clarke then walked out at number 6 to join Andrew Symonds who was batting conciously after coming in at 5. Clarke batted fluently without any kind of trouble. Though limelight was taken away by the muscular 156 of Symonds but Clarke’s class was always adorable. He scored 82 not out of just 77 balls to end the innings at 322. The Game had a nail bitting finish. Australia pulled out a thriller by a close margin of just 2 runs.

4. 103* vs Pakistan (ODI)

In the fifth game of the VB series, the dominant Australia were up against Pakistan. After being invited to bat by Australia, the star studded Pakistani batting line up failed miserably and got all out for 163. Clarke opened the innings with Hayden and was looking comfortable with bat even in tough conditions but Hayden at the other end was struggling before getting out for 27 off 65 balls. Clarke on the other hand was settled in and went on to score his century to guide Australia achieve the target. He scored 103 not out of 107 balls.

3. 151 vs South Africa (Test)

First match of the much anticipated Test series between Australia and South Africa was in Cape Town. The Visitors were asked to bat first to face some quality bowling from the hosts in much favourable conditions for bowlers. South Africa started well and snatched some early wickets. Clarke came in at five and tried to consolidate with Shaun Marsh, but Marsh also fell in his 40s. Thereafter it was just Michael Clarke playing some delightfull strokes with wickets tumbling around him. He scored 151 with a strike rate of almost 86. The Australian innings wrapped up at 284. South Africa won the game by 8 wickets on just the third day. Australia in their second innings got all out for just 47.

2. 151 vs India (Test)

A young man called Michael Clarke made his Test debut against India at Bangalore. When he came out to bat in a crunch situation at number 6, very few knew about this lad. But he played a memorable debut innings under pressure to score 151 runs and make everybody know him with a bang. He batted with the experienced Gilly to help Australia reach a strong total of 474. Australia went on to win the Test.

1. 329* vs India (Test)

Michael Clarke since his debut at Chinnaswamy Stadium had a special love affair with India. This time around India were in Australia and had already lost the first Test. In the second innings of the match after toppling India for just 191, Australia also lost 3 early wickets. But after that skipper Clarke along with the former captain Ponting and Hussey played beautifully and never gave any chance to the Indian bowlers to bounce back. Clarke completed his maiden triple ton and finally the innings was declared. At the time of declaration, Clarke was on 329. Ausrtalia then won the game by an innings to take an unbeatable lead in the series.