Merv Hughes backs Clarke’s appointment as stand-in captain for Sydney Test
December 31st, 2010 - 5:40 pm ICT by ANIMelbourne, Dec 31ANI): Former Australian selector Merv Hughes has defended the appointment of Michael Clarke as stand-in captain due to Ricky Ponting’s injury.
Ponting will miss the final Test in Sydney after X-rays showed his broken finger was worse than thought.
“I think it’s tremendous. His performance has been down in this series, but I think he’s been our leading player for the last two years. I think he deserves his chance,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hughes, as saying.
“Having been on the panel for five years and knowing what he’s like, he’s led us really well in T20 cricket and the one-dayers when Ricky [Ponting] hasn’t been there.”
“He’s been vice-captain for a while now, and I think he’ll be a very good captain down the track,” he added.
Clarke has scored just 148 runs in the ongoing series at an average of 21.14 - a far cry from last year’s Ashes where he was Australia’s leading scorer with 448 at an average of 64.
Australia currently trails the five-match series 2-1, with the final Test to be played in Sydney from January 2. (ANI)
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- Clarke describes appointment as Sydney Test captain as temporary - Dec 31, 2010
- Australia '100 per cent behind' stand-in captain Clarke: Haddin - Dec 31, 2010
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- Clarke must shape up as batsman or forget about Oz captaincy: Ian Chappell - Dec 21, 2010
- Ponting 'devastated' over missing fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Clarke would be completely different as Oz captain to Ponting, says NSW coach - Jan 02, 2011
- 'It's great to have Ponting back for World Cup,' says Clarke - Feb 12, 2011
- Ex-Oz captains praise Ponting's move to play and help Clarke - Mar 30, 2011
- Khawaja, Beer to make debuts in Sydney Ashes Test - Jan 02, 2011
- I'm not going to interfere in Sydney Ashes Test: Ponting - Dec 31, 2010
- Chappell had urged Ponting to bat at No.4 in Ashes opener - Dec 30, 2010
- Chappell doesn't want Ponting in dressing room - Jan 03, 2011
Tags: appointment, australia, broken finger, cricket, far cry, final test, leading scorer, match, melbourne, merv hughes, michael clarke, morning herald, ricky, sydney morning herald, vice captain, x rays