Captains have ton of motivation to deliver
EVEN in the statistical matrix that is cricket, the idea that the captains of Australia and England would play their 100th Tests in the same match is remarkable.
In Perth, during the pivotal third Test of the Ashes series, Michael Clarke is set to become just the 12th Australian, and Alastair Cook the 10th Englishman, to achieve a century of Tests. That’s, of course, assuming their dodgy backs don’t intervene.
It might be a coincidence that Clarke and Cook are sharing such a rare milestone on the same day.
But the fact two careers, which mirror each other in many ways, will collide in that way carries much more weight than mere theatre.
Of course Clarke and Cook have already defined themselves as great players.
Their batting feats will stand up against against the best from any era.
Yet as captains, their legacy is far from complete.
This series, with the Perth ‘‘100th Test’’ planted nicely in the middle, could define how Clarke and Cook are remembered. There are different measures of what makes a great Test captain.
This pair understand that fact more than most.
Clarke is widely praised as one of the most advanced tactical thinkers in the game, but he’d swap the plaudits for a Test win — he hasn’t had one since January.
Cook, on the other hand, has only tasted defeat in one Test since taking over as skipper, but he’d be excused for asking, ‘what about me?’
With England widely tipped to capitalise on an experienced, balanced and skillful line-up and win a fourth straight Ashes series — the road ahead for Clarke and his unsettled crew looks grim. But it also means the stakes are higher for Cook.
If Australia can rally to win this series, it will be a major feather in the cap for the boy from Sydney’s west and a significant black mark against the lad from Essex.
It’s a team sport, but so much responsibility rests on the shoulders of the two skippers. There’s the prospect of immortality, but the equal threat of infamy.
For Cook it seems unfair that a 3- 0 series win over Australia already this year could count for nothing if England can’t back it up Down Under. But that’s the price you pay for favouritism and when trying to maintain a winning streak.
Cook has been chastised for a lack of imagination and attacking impetus as skipper and he’d like to shut the knockers up for good.
Meanwhile, Clarke can’t escape accusations that he contributed to a poor team culture — even best mate Warne admitted the 32-yearold has work to do there.
But one fact that’s hard to question, is that these two men thrive as captains. Clarke averages nearly 63 with the bat as captain, compared to 52 throughout his career. Cook has also raised his output since taking over.
Both are on the cusp of 100 matches and 8000 Test runs.
Cook has one more ton, but Clarke’s average is superior.
There’s a struck match between them on the scoresheets. But by the end of the ‘‘ 100th Test’’, or at least by the end of this series, the gap between Clarke and Cook in the history books could be profound.