Michael Clarke... Is he the best?

[Media Park]

Michael Clarke has been in ridiculously good form of late, his calendar year thus far has been amazing considering the relatively small amount of Test cricket Australia has played.
Currently has 1265 runs (and is unbeaten) from 12 innings, and averages 140.55.
His four centuries are three double hundreds (one of those currently and still going), as well as a triple hundred.

Alistair Cook is the next closest with a distinctly ordinary 904 runs, from 23 innings.

Begs the question, is Pup the best going around at the moment?

(Mohammed Yousuf holds the all time record, 1788 runs in 11 Tests, 2006)

[The Dark Knight]

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.

[am Bays]

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)

[The Dark Knight]

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.

[the star]

I would like to see the stats when michael clarke has had a head of hair compared to his shave head period

[The Dark Knight]

I would like to see the stats when michael clarke has had a head of hair compared to his shave head period

Workout when he cut his hair (if you can lol ) and it'll be easy to workout, just use the player analysis menu/filter option in his profile on cricinfo.

[therisingblues]

Sorry, I'm still catching up with discussion; when did he become captain? And what's his record been since becoming captain?

[MightyEagles]

He became captian in the last 18 months - 2 years.

There are 2 more tests this year, and with the way he's playing atm could score the most in a year.

[woodublieve12]

When did Lara Bingle dump him??? I reckon his form turn around shortly after that...

How bad is it for him, after the big day like yesterday, he has to go home with that ugly wife of his

[Jim05]

When did Lara Bingle dump him??? I reckon his form turn around shortly after that...

How bad is it for him, after the big day like yesterday, he has to go home with that ugly wife of his

Funny my wife said the same thing while watching yesterday. She reckons its no coincidence he has improved since pissing Bingle off

[Footy Smart]

Sorry, I'm still catching up with discussion; when did he become captain? And what's his record been since becoming captain?

think I heard on the tv yesty 7 or 8 tons in 17 matches as captain, that of course includes 3 double tons and the triple

[rod_rooster]

He became captian in the last 18 months - 2 years.

There are 2 more tests this year, and with the way he's playing atm could score the most in a year.

3 Test left this year. 3rd in Perth against SA then 1st against SL in Hobart and of course the 2nd against SL on Boxing Day. Plenty of cricket for him to get there yet.

[whufc]

Best part about his recent big ones is his scoring at a great rate so the game is still moving forward while his compiling these massive totals

[therisingblues]

Sorry, I'm still catching up with discussion; when did he become captain? And what's his record been since becoming captain?

think I heard on the tv yesty 7 or 8 tons in 17 matches as captain, that of course includes 3 double tons and the triple

Thanks FootySmart and Mighty Eagles.
I wonder if he's some sort of chance for the most runs without being dismissed? He scored almost 300 not out in the first test, now he's over 200 again. I reckon he's got around 500 runs or more since his last dismissal.
Anyone know what the record is?

[smac]

489 puts him second to Tendulkar. Didn't hear clearly what the record is, but it was 4 hundred and something - he was very close!

[rod_rooster]

489 puts him second to Tendulkar. Didn't hear clearly what the record is, but it was 4 hundred and something - he was very close!

497.

[therisingblues]

He got 489? Not the record, but a great series average so far!

[Dog_ger]

He got 489? Not the record, but a great series average so far!

I didn't like the man but since his marriage he has been outstanding.

He has won me over. Well done Michael Clarke.

Big statement for being the best but he is up there somewhere.

[Media Park]

Probably a better question.
If clarke is not the best right now, who is?

[Interceptor]

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.