Michael Clarke's grade side declare at 17/0; face investigation

Michael Clarke’s fitness in doubt for their upcoming Test series against India

Injured Australian captain Michael Clarke, who is desperate to prove his fitness ahead of the India series, will have an opportunity to bat for his club Western Suburbs next weekend after they declared their first innings at 17/0, keeping in mind the bigger picture of allowing Clarke time to recover.

Being named in the team, Clarke was slotted to come in at No.7. Opposition Parramatta, realizing that the Australian skipper is in no situation to bat, that will inturn reduce the Magpies to a 10-man side, coupled with the fear of facing Australia’s leading batsman later in the match, inserted the Suburbs.

Interestingly, the 33-year old has not even began to run in the nets, still nurtuing the hamstring injury that he picked up during the first ODI of the ongoing series against South Africa.

Suburbs, having reached 17/0 in 9.5 overs, decided to end their innings, with intentions of giving some much needed recovery time for their national leader. It has to be noted that the match is only played on Saturdays.

Western Suburbs vs Parramatta scorecard (Image courtesy: cricket.com.au)

However, Parramatta, after comfortably achieving the first innings win, declared their innings at 140/2 from 23 overs. It means Suburbs were forced to take strike for the second time and were 230/1 by the end of the day, earning a lead of 107.

Despite appreciating the intentions of Magpies to give Clarke some time out in the middle, Cricket New South Wales (CNSW) was concerned with the quality of cricket, pointing out to such early declarations and the unnecessary mind games involved.

CNSW Cheif Executive Officer Andrew Jones, while appreciating the thinking behind the gesture to declare, stated that an investigation would be launched after the conclusion of the match.

"We understand Wests may have taken this action (the declaration) to increase the probability of Australian Captain Michael Clarke batting in the second week of the game," said Jones, to cricket.com.au.

"While Cricket NSW and the Sydney Cricket Association are conscious of the broader interests of Australian cricket and hence appreciate the thinking behind this gesture, we are also conscious of the need to maintain the integrity of the Sydney grade competition.

"Consequently we will investigate the full facts and evaluate Wests' actions at the conclusion of the round, with appropriate input from all key stakeholders," he added.

Interstingly, come next Saturday, all eyes will be on this match that is being played between the 18th and 20th placed teams in Sydney’s grade competition. There is also a possibilty of Cricket Australia including Clarke in the second warm-up game against Indians, starting on November 28, in case he achieves match fitness.