'I definitely count myself lucky just to be here'
Michael Clarke has enjoyed a sensational start to his Test career - a hundred on his Test debut in India was followed by another in his first home Test, a double achieved by only five other players
Nagraj Gollapudi
24-Nov-2004
Michael Clarke has enjoyed a sensational start to his Test career - a hundred on his Test debut in India was followed by another in his first home Test, a double achieved by only five other players. After his debut century at Bangalore he spoke to Wisden Asia Cricket magazine:
 |
|
You're only 23 - do you consider yourself lucky to be in the Australian team, considering that the average age for entry in recent years has been around 30?
I definitely count myself lucky just to be here, to play Test cricket for Australia.
I definitely count myself lucky just to be here, to play Test cricket for Australia.
What did it feel like, getting your baggy green cap from Shane Warne and wearing it for the first time?
It was really an emotional moment. I looked around and saw all the guys sort of teared up. I was given my first baggy green by Steve Waugh in the West Indies during our trip last time there, but I never wore it as I never played. I kept it in a plastic bag at the top of my cupboard. When I was selected this time, Neil, my manager, sent it to me, and I was presented with the same one.
It was really an emotional moment. I looked around and saw all the guys sort of teared up. I was given my first baggy green by Steve Waugh in the West Indies during our trip last time there, but I never wore it as I never played. I kept it in a plastic bag at the top of my cupboard. When I was selected this time, Neil, my manager, sent it to me, and I was presented with the same one.
Ricky Ponting says you're "a nervous sort of fella" ...
Gee, thanks Ricky! I don't know, you'd have to ask my team-mates. But, yeah, I do get pretty nervous. I don't know ... no matter what level I am playing at I get nervous. It's good - it's just energy. I am just so keen to get out there and do well.
Gee, thanks Ricky! I don't know, you'd have to ask my team-mates. But, yeah, I do get pretty nervous. I don't know ... no matter what level I am playing at I get nervous. It's good - it's just energy. I am just so keen to get out there and do well.
Apparently you woke up at 5.30am on the day of your first Test. What was going through your mind then?
I had been waiting for the day, dreaming about it for so long that it was almost unbelievable that I was there. It was more excitement than nerves.
I had been waiting for the day, dreaming about it for so long that it was almost unbelievable that I was there. It was more excitement than nerves.
I was nervous in the nineties, but I was still in control
|
What did you tell yourself when you walked in at 4 for 149?
All I was thinking was about playing to my plan and how I was going to play on that wicket. I wasn't thinking about a hundred. I wasn't thinking "Oh, we're in the pits." I was just thinking "I know how I want to play each bowler." And I just wanted to make sure I kept playing to my plan and didn't get sucked in and play outside my game.
All I was thinking was about playing to my plan and how I was going to play on that wicket. I wasn't thinking about a hundred. I wasn't thinking "Oh, we're in the pits." I was just thinking "I know how I want to play each bowler." And I just wanted to make sure I kept playing to my plan and didn't get sucked in and play outside my game.
Talk us through the nervous nineties - you were stuck there for almost 45 minutes ...
The thing that I remember most was that they bowled really well then and had a really good field. I just had to be patient. At no time did I think "I'm gonna play a big shot" or "I'm gonna go over the top." There was a good lbw shout when I was on 92 - but that was a good ball, I didn't play a bad shot. I was nervous, but I was still in control.
The thing that I remember most was that they bowled really well then and had a really good field. I just had to be patient. At no time did I think "I'm gonna play a big shot" or "I'm gonna go over the top." There was a good lbw shout when I was on 92 - but that was a good ball, I didn't play a bad shot. I was nervous, but I was still in control.
You called for your baggy green when you were had reached 98
It was always my dream, and I was lucky enough to get a chance to live my dream, and I wasn't going to let anything change that. I was lucky enough to play on a flat wicket, so there was no worry about getting hit in the head.
It was always my dream, and I was lucky enough to get a chance to live my dream, and I wasn't going to let anything change that. I was lucky enough to play on a flat wicket, so there was no worry about getting hit in the head.
|
|
|
Are you planning to keep the motorbike you got as part of your Man-of-the-Match award?
I want to keep it because it was a special moment, and I'm very keen on taking it back. My family is already worried about me bringing it home and riding it in Australia!
I want to keep it because it was a special moment, and I'm very keen on taking it back. My family is already worried about me bringing it home and riding it in Australia!
Actually you're more keen on cars, aren't you?
I love my cars. I have a BMW. I love BMWs. I can't afford a Ferrari. I only have one car, though I would like 20.
I love my cars. I have a BMW. I love BMWs. I can't afford a Ferrari. I only have one car, though I would like 20.
And you've got yourself a new house?
Yes, I bought my first house in Sydney about a year back. It is near Breakfast Point, ten minutes from the city and on the water [the Parramatta River]. It's a boy's pad, with a pool table, a big TV, and a big fridge - I like to cook. I didn't design it - we had a sponsorship with a developer who has become a good friend. It's beautiful. I really miss it as I've been on the road for six months now.
Yes, I bought my first house in Sydney about a year back. It is near Breakfast Point, ten minutes from the city and on the water [the Parramatta River]. It's a boy's pad, with a pool table, a big TV, and a big fridge - I like to cook. I didn't design it - we had a sponsorship with a developer who has become a good friend. It's beautiful. I really miss it as I've been on the road for six months now.
And is there any advice that you've heard on the road that has stuck with you?
The greatest piece of advice about cricket I've had is to just keep enjoying it. I love speaking to the guys who have been playing for a long time. Even if we weren't being paid to play, all the guys in this Australian team would be still playing this game.
The greatest piece of advice about cricket I've had is to just keep enjoying it. I love speaking to the guys who have been playing for a long time. Even if we weren't being paid to play, all the guys in this Australian team would be still playing this game.
This interview is adapted from one that appears in the November edition of Wisden Asia Cricket. For more details, and how to subscribe to the magazine, click here.