Thaindian News

Sydney, Jan 4 (IANS) Australia captain Michael Clarke said Wednesday that his maiden double ton in Tests will help him earn respect among his team mates and fans.

“Hopefully, it helps me continue to earn respect. That is all I can do, and most importantly that helps me put this team in a position to win another Test match. That is our goal; that is my goal - to help Australia win as many games as we can,” Clarke said.

The 30-year-old remained unbeaten on 251 and with his predecessor Ricky Ponting (134) added a record 288 runs for the fourth wicket that took Australia to 482 for four at stumps on day two. Australia gain a massive 291-run lead having bowled out India for 191 runs in the first innings.

Clarke was satisfied having scored his most memorable innings at his home ground and also on the occasion of the 100th Test at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground.

The stylish right-hander remembered Ponting’s advice as the former captain sat right beside him at the media interaction.

“One of the things Punter (Ponting) taught me before I got the captaincy was as a leader you need to make sure you are standing up on the field; make sure you are leading from the front and scoring runs, and that is what I have tried to do since taking over the captaincy,” said Clarke, who was surprised to be receive the Alan McGilvray award for Australia’s cricketer of the year on the same day he played one of his best innings of his career.

Clarke admitted that batting was a lot easier than opening day when Australia dismissed India for 191.

“The track has flattened out a lot compared to day one, so the most important thing for us is making sure there is enough time left in the game to give ourselves a chance to bowl India out. I think we need to bat well tomorrow morning to set the game up. We are a long way from being 2-0 up, a lot of hard work needs to go in, but we are in a really good position,” he said.

Batting through out the day made Clarke proud.

“I was really proud of the 151 against South Africa; it came in really tough circumstances and that pitch did a lot more than this pitch did. But what makes me proud is I batted the whole day today.

“That is something I have always tried to do and haven’t done very often, so that is very satisfying to bat a full day. It is fantastic to have a score beside my name like I do, but as I have seen in the past if you don’t win the Test match, it means nothing,” he said.