Former captain Michael Clarke feels the current team needs too “play tough Australian cricket” in the upcoming home Test series against India, and believes over-emphasising on being nice guys on the field is not going to lead them anywhere.
For long known for their ruthless brand of cricket, Australian players have consciously toned down their on-field aggression in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal – but the 2015 World Cup-winning captain isn’t thrilled by the newfound approach.
Australian cricket, I think, needs to stop worry about being liked and start worrying about being respected. Play tough Australian cricket. Whether we like it or not, that’s in our blood.Michael Clarke, as quoted by Macquarie Sports Radio
The months since Tampergate, and the subsequent suspensions of Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been severe on Australian cricket, both on and off the field. A cultural review has questioned the way cricket has been played – and run – in the country, even openly criticising Australia’s ‘win at all costs’ mentality. But Clarke remains adamant that winning must be the top priority.
If you try and walk away from it, we might be the most liked team in the world, (but) we’re not going to win s***. We won’t win a game. Boys and girls want to win.Michael Clarke, as quoted by Macquarie Sports Radio
The four-match Border-Gavaskar series is being billed by many as India’s best chance to claim a maiden Test series win in Australia. India start the series as the world’s top-ranked Test team, while Australia sit far behind in fifth.
Clarke, who was part of more than a few fiesty India-Australia contests himself, cited the example of suspended batsman David Warner, whose aggression brought out the best in him.
“It’s his style, he's very upfront, in your face. What you see with David Warner is what you get. Your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. To me I always loved having him in the team I was captaining because he brought that aggression that I wanted.
“In saying that there was always a line, he knew that. We had a number of conversations one on one about that line he couldn't overstep,” he said.
Clarke vocally supported Warner’s on-field demeanour, perhaps suggesting some of the same from the present crop could be beneficial to Australia against India.
“He brings that positive approach to the Australian cricket team. You can't ask him to bring that and then on the other hand blame him or ask him to be a pussy cat when it comes to giving it,” Clarke said.
“David Warner gives it to certain blokes on the field because he wants them to give it to him when he's batting. It's like a turn on, it makes him play better,” he added.
The first Test of the four-match Australia-India series starts in Adelaide from 6 December, ahead of which India play a four-day warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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