Soliloquy

Michael Clarke will take guard for the last or probably penultimate time in his international career at The Oval on August 20. A player accomplished in both front-foot and back-foot and a stroke maker held of the highest regard, his absence will definitely be felt in the Australian dressing room. But what are we – the fans going to miss?

We will miss the concise movements at second slip, adjusting his hat, wearing his goggles back, chatting to his most trusted lieutenant Brad Haddin and making animated gestures to Dave Warner at point to keep the chatter going. We will miss his shrewd captaincy. We will miss his decisions to rest his best fast bowler before the second new ball comes in and his ideas of restricting an opponent side for below 200 in the first innings. We will miss his pro-activeness in the field while explaining the length to be bowled to a new batsman to Ryan Harris, his favourite fast bowler. We will miss his shouting at Mitchell Starc at fine leg to roll his arms over. We will miss his declarations.

We will miss a batsman who was ready to take bruises and batterings and keep on batting to save his nation from embarrassment. Or a number four who was prepared to walk in at 0-2 and yet not give a hell even if Morne Morkel was bowling. Or his most bitter nemesis James Anderson. We will miss a batsman who could cut and pull, like any Australian but even sweep or step out. We will miss the best player of spin in the Australian batting line up and a bloke who could easily score hundreds at Bangalore, Brisbane or Bristol. We will miss a batsman who was willing to demote himself downwards so that another of his teammates could score runs at his preferred number 4. And yes, we will miss his straight drives.

We will miss a skipper willing to give his all for his teammates. One who was prepared to back them to the hilt. We will miss a leader who led from the front and made his teammates’ jobs look easy by taking the burden on himself. We will miss his post match presentations where, if his team lost, he wouldn’t shy away from taking the responsibility upon his shoulders. We will miss him cajoling, almost begging Mitchell Johnson for one more over.

Almost as much as we dislike Australian cricket, we will miss the man responsible for the turnaround in their fortunes. One day, when we all grow old, we’ll watch Television highlights and recall the grace with which Michael Crake led his battered Australian side. One which had forgotten to win. We will reminisce and miss the Ashes 2014 and World Cup 2015. The game just wasn’t complete without the Australians.

India and Hyderabad will miss CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS!