Clarke Seals Series Win

Australia wrapped up the final test in Dominica, winning by 75 runs on the just before lunch on fifth day but not before another bright cameo from Darren Sammy put just enough wobble in the victory. Michael Clarke bagged his second five wicket haul in Tests, bowling 23 overs.

Darren Sammy made an emphatic 61

Despite the new ball being taken, it was the dual spin of Clarke and Nathan Lyon who shared the five wickets which fell in the morning. Sammy had reconstructed his tail, rewarding Kemar Roach for his doggedness and promoting him to No 9, whilst dropping Shane Shillingford back to last man. Roach failed and Shillingford hit 6 fours in making 31 not out. Go Figure? It was Sammy who provided the fireworks, with a 41 ball half century which included two massive blows off Clarke: one over long on and the other miles over square leg. His first scoring shot went over the sight screen off Lyon. Often criticised for his irresponsibility with the bat, no one was complaining today after Narsingh Deonarine and Carlton Baugh were gone in the first thirteen overs. The man has one gear. On his day, he is the biggest, cleanest striker of a cricket ball in world cricket and despite his clangers in this series and against India last year, he still has the best hands in the side. His 9 catches in three Tests underlines that point. His bowling is handy, without pace or penetration but its his captaincy which should have him picked every time. The West Indies are slowly on the rise because of leadership and the willingness he and Otis Gibson have to stick with good young players until they mature into their roles.

Clarke & Lyon took eight of the wickets

Clarke got the first breakthrough at the end of the seventh over, after a protracted consultation between the on field umpires and followed by endless replays in order to determine whether Deonarine had returned a catch to the bowler or half volleyed it. Eventually, he was sent. Baugh got himself out, swiping at Lyon who was bowling a nagging length despite Sammy's onslaught. Baugh banged the ball seemingly over Ricky Ponting's head at mid wicket but the little champion held a very good mark. Roach, promoted to hold up an end with rain threatening, had a short stay thanks to a superb catch by Clarke at slip. Roach's edge just missed Matthew Wade's pads and Clarke dived a long way to his natural hand and held a cracker. Rampaul came and went in the next over, trying to emulate Sammy but hitting Clarke only as far as Dave Warner at mid on.

Shillingford and Sammy added 49 in what turned out to be the last 11 overs before Lyon, bowling with a new ball that the quicks only had their hands on for seven overs. Sammy aimed another big shot over the leg side, top edged and was caught by Ben Hilfenhaus at square leg.

It was a strange series in which Australia didn't dominate, yet won 2-0. The key was their ability to take opportunities and win the decisive sessions. Here, it was the last session of the 2nd day, when they lost five wickets after being 3-73 chasing Australia reasonable total of 328. From there, the match remained even. It was a similar story in each of the three Tests, with Australia winning a vital session which turned the match.

Chanderpaul was man of
the series

The other oddity was in the individual performances. The West Indies have been beaten despite having far and away the best batsman (Shiv Chanderpaul 346 runs @ 86) and the best bowler (Kemar Roach 19 wickets @ 19). The secret lies in the fact that all of the Australian top seven scored more than 150 runs for the series (fudging on Ponting who scored 146) and the Windies only had Darren Bravo. The West Indies also went without Kirk Edwards after the first Test, when he injured a knee and Fidel Edwards for the third Test.

Importantly, they were competitive and they are learning. Watch this space.

The West Indies squad for England was announced during the morning, with Kirk Edwards being elevated to vice captain ... a move which has future all over it. The side is: Darren Sammy (captain), Kirk Edwards (vice-captain), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford.


For the Australians, it completes a highly satisfactory first twelve months under Michael Clarke and big ticks in all the boxes. Every question asked has been answered. Even the 47 at Newlands last November has proved to be an important plank in the solid foundations Australia has laid in their own rebuilding.


Whilst players go off to pursue cricket in colours for the next five months, both for country and corporation, Baggy Green Tests take a spell until next summer.