'I love being aggressive, I love putting on a show'
Michael Clarke heads to South Africa for the Twenty20 World Championship as a support player for the modern giants
01-Sep-2007
Twenty years ago Michael Clarke would have been classified as a big hitter, with his ability to crunch punishing boundaries and a one-day strike-rate of almost 83. But when he heads to South Africa for the Twenty20 World Championship he will be a support player for the modern giants. He spoke to Peter English at the team camp in Coolum
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How will you approach the Twenty20 World Championship?
It's a trophy Australia hasn't got, so we'll be doing everything in our power to bring it home. There's a lot of natural talent in the side, which holds us in good stead. Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting and Symonds - those guys will win you a game on their own. We are in great shape because we have that talent. It's the same with the ball. Stuart Clark is bowling really well, Brett Lee is back and he's keen to go.
It's a trophy Australia hasn't got, so we'll be doing everything in our power to bring it home. There's a lot of natural talent in the side, which holds us in good stead. Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting and Symonds - those guys will win you a game on their own. We are in great shape because we have that talent. It's the same with the ball. Stuart Clark is bowling really well, Brett Lee is back and he's keen to go.
You're not a big hitter like those guys. How do you see your role?
My strength will certainly be running between the wickets and getting off strike. We have so much strength in the batting order. I'm very lucky because around me I have a lot of guys who hit big fours. It's my job to help allow them to play their way.
My strength will certainly be running between the wickets and getting off strike. We have so much strength in the batting order. I'm very lucky because around me I have a lot of guys who hit big fours. It's my job to help allow them to play their way.
Is it unfair to say you're not a big hitter?
Not when you compare me to the other guys. If the game situation dictates it, and if there's a time for me to go crazy, then that's what I'll do. I'll be looking forward to it and enjoying it. But my strength is the building of an innings and running between the wickets.
Not when you compare me to the other guys. If the game situation dictates it, and if there's a time for me to go crazy, then that's what I'll do. I'll be looking forward to it and enjoying it. But my strength is the building of an innings and running between the wickets.
Will Twenty20 benefit your play?
I think it will help my batting, it's a different form of the game. I think it will help my one-day cricket too.
I think it will help my batting, it's a different form of the game. I think it will help my one-day cricket too.
Are you ready to build on last season?
It's been a great 12 months, getting back into Test cricket. I'm just rapt to be back in the Test side. [He scored 389 Ashes runs at 77.80 in 2006-07.] My form has been pretty consistent in one-day cricket and I hope to keep my consistency in Tests. The goal is to continue performing in both forms of the game.
It's been a great 12 months, getting back into Test cricket. I'm just rapt to be back in the Test side. [He scored 389 Ashes runs at 77.80 in 2006-07.] My form has been pretty consistent in one-day cricket and I hope to keep my consistency in Tests. The goal is to continue performing in both forms of the game.
What is the major difference between the first and second phases of your career?
I've learned a lot about how to bat to be successful. I love being aggressive, I love being entertaining, I love putting on a show. In the long form of the game, if I just give myself a little bit of time, it allows me to play freer throughout the innings.
I've learned a lot about how to bat to be successful. I love being aggressive, I love being entertaining, I love putting on a show. In the long form of the game, if I just give myself a little bit of time, it allows me to play freer throughout the innings.
You had some injury trouble towards the end of last season. How is your fitness?
My hip is fine and my body is in good shape. I've had no niggles during the winter. I've been doing lots of training with New South Wales and I'm the fittest I've ever been. I've been working my backside off since June. There's nothing wrong at the moment and I'll be trying to make most of the next couple of weeks.
My hip is fine and my body is in good shape. I've had no niggles during the winter. I've been doing lots of training with New South Wales and I'm the fittest I've ever been. I've been working my backside off since June. There's nothing wrong at the moment and I'll be trying to make most of the next couple of weeks.
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo