[1]Austalia captain Michael Clake today wanted to put an end to the controversy surrounding the suspension of four players including vice-captain Shane Watson for the third Test stating that he doesn’t want to “look backwards” and focus on the third Test starting tomorrow.
“That (the issue) happened in the past. We are looking forward and don’t want to look backwards,” Clarke said, adding “the focus is on the third Test.”
Besides Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khwaja will have to sit out for tomorrow’s Test in view of the disciplinary action taken against them by the team management for not submitting a team assignment.
Clarke said that he had spoken to Watson when he landed in Sydney after leaving Chandigarh and expected the cricketer to be back for the fourth Test after his wife delivers their first child.
“Hopefully, he can fly back,” he said. Clarke said that they will have to take a call on Matthew Wade’s availability as the glovesman has sprained an ankle.
Wade’s possible replacement Brad Haddin has already arrived and might be donning the big gloves in case the first-choice keeper fails to recover in time.
The Aussie skipper said that the team for the Test will be announced tomorrow morning.
Trailing 0-2 in the four-match series, he said, hopefully they can go on to win the next two matches. Asked if he will promote himself up the order, he said at the moment he could not tell what the batting order will be,
“But I am confident that I will bat higher than 5 (spot).”
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/michael-clarke13jpg-031