Michael Clarke... Is he the best?

[whufc]

Obviously has scored the double centuries and a rare triple century, but I'd rate his century on the previous tour of South Africa as the real standout because it was on a fairly tough pitch against their full strength bowling attack.
Unfortunately it was completely overshadowed by the debacle in the second innings and loss of the match.

X2 I watched every ball of that innings, great call

[lutz]

Clarke's form since he became Australian captain has been like Ponting when he became captain, it's gone to an entire new level where he looks unstoppable. It's great to see he's flourishing in the role of captain and it not effecting his batting in anyway thus far.

Nah Pontings best years IMO were when he was vice captain 2002-2003 when he cashed in agaisnt the POMS and Indians with three double centuries in the space of 12 months (Adel 2002, Melb 2002 and Adel 2003)

Not exactly, his best series were when he was about to become/became captain-

2003/2004 when he scored 1163 @ 77.54 in 9 tests. (Became captain during the Aus vs Sri Lanka series)
2004/2005 when he scored 864 runs @ 78.54 in 9 tests
and 2005/2006 when he scored 1483 runs @ 78.05 in 12 tests.

I always remember that 2005/2006 season against the West Indies and South Africa as Ricky Ponting's best series.

Yea was in amazing form for a couple of seasons there. When he passed 20 runs it looked like he was definitiely going to ton up (particularly in that 05/06 season). I wish it was still the case.