Clarke and Smith were involved in emotional celebrations in the middle.
© AFP
Michael Clarke battled excruciating back pain to score an emotional 28th hundred - and 7th in Adelaide - as Australia reached a commanding total of 426/6 in the 2nd session on Day 2 of the first Test against India.
Clarke had retired hurt on 60 on Tuesday and needed injections before walking out to bat on the rain-hit second day. Shane Watson had tipped Clarke to score a hundred in honour of fallen teammate Phillip Hughes and the Australian captain responded with typical gusto to become the third host batsman to score a hundred in the Test, after David Warner yesterday and Steve Smith today.
Unike the two before him, Clarke's celebrations were not overtly emotional. He just lifted his bat and kissed the Australian crest on his helmet as the crowd stoop up to applaud a fine effort. The hundred came off a mere 127 balls and included 15 boundaries.
Clarke was a constant presence at the St Vincent Hospital where Hughes was admitted after being fatally struck by a Sean Abbott bouncer in the course of a Sheffield Shield game. The 33-year-old Clarke had also been a huge source of strength for the Hughes family after the death of their son, reading out a statement on their behalf. (Hughes Remembered Ahead of First Test )
Clarke only played after passing a fitness test for recurring hamstring trouble and he grimaced and yelped in pain as he twisted his torso to hit some exquisite shots. (Warner Says 63 to Stay Special Score )
The Australian skipper has earned a reputation for courageous displays. Last March he batted on with a fractured left shoulder in an unbeaten 161 to help his team to a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in Cape Town. (Taylor Concerned for Clarke's Future )
0 comments:
Post a Comment