Australia should refrain from pushing Travis Head up to open and leave Sam Konstas at the top of the order for two upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka in spin-friendly conditions.
That’s the view of former Australian captain Michael Clarke, who was unveiled as the 64th inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Clarke, who made 8643 runs from 115 Tests at an average of 49.1, is the last Australian skipper to win a Test series in Sri Lanka, doing so in 2011 with a team that featured the likes of Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson and a young Nathan Lyon.
Fresh off a 3-1 series win over India this summer, Australia are in Dubai preparing for their opening Test against Sri Lanka, starting on Wednesday in Galle.
Australia are considering opening the batting with Head – he has gone up the order before in India – which could see young gun Sam Konstas miss out on a spot in the XI.
With a World Test Championship final berth already locked up, Clarke doesn’t believe Australia should tinker too much with the order that won them Tests at the MCG and SCG.
Michael Clarke at the SCG on Thursday after being inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.Credit: Getty Images for Cricket Australia
“I think he [Konstas] would be happy to play,” Clarke, who scored nearly 6000 Test runs at No.5 at an average of 60, told reporters.
“I don’t think we need too much [change] in terms of structure. We’ve just come off a win. Conditions are very different but Trav has been extraordinary through the middle order.
“The other thing is I don’t think it’s going to matter. If you’re going to open the batting, you’re going to start against spin. If you bat five, you’re going to walk in against spin. Get used to facing spin bowling because you’ll get two Test matches of it.
“Sam’s an enormous talent and I think Australian cricket continues to produce young, talented players in men’s and women’s cricket. You learn so many things by having good senior players around you. Sam is one of the examples where he’s lucky to have these senior players around him.”
Sam Konstas had a whirlwind debut in Melbourne. Credit: AP
Clarke said the likely inclusion of Steve Smith, who is progressing well from a minor elbow injury, would be a major boost for Australia.
“He’s so important for us over there in those conditions with the way he plays spin and his knowledge of the game,” Clarke said of Smith.
“I assume Australia will play at least two spinners. I’d be surprised if Sri Lanka played more than two quicks. They might just play one.
“There’s some youngsters around [the Australian setup] to learn the ropes … and see Sri Lankan conditions. It’s very different to anywhere else in the world.”
Hall of fame inductees
- Inducted 1996 – Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee
- 2000 – Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
- 2001 – Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris
- 2002 – Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell
- 2003 – Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell
- 2004 – Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson
- 2005 – Clem Hill and Rod Marsh
- 2006 – Monty Noble and Bob Simpson
- 2007 – Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud
- 2008 – George Giffen and Ian Healy
- 2009 – Steve Waugh
- 2010 – Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie
- 2011 – Mark Taylor and Doug Walters
- 2012 – Shane Warne
- 2013 – Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath
- 2014 – Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark
- 2015 – Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder
- 2016 – Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout
- 2017 – David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson
- 2018 – Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton
- 2019 – Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch
- 2020 – Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott
- 2021 – Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar
- 2022 – Justin Langer and Raelee Thompson
- 2023 – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath
- 2024 – Michael Clarke. Two further inductees to be named.
It was fitting that Clarke was inducted into the hall of fame on Thursday at the SCG – the ground where the NSW product made his highest Test score of 329 not out against India in 2012.
“It’s something I’m honoured by and very proud to do it at this venue,” Clarke said. “As a young boy, to play at the SCG was the dream.
Michael Clarke at the SCG.Credit: Getty Images for Cricket Australia
“I don’t think I could have picked a better venue if I had a choice. Here or Pratten Park probably [his home ground for Western Suburbs]. I’ve got some great memories here.”
There were two other remarkable coincidences that Clarke picked up on ahead of the ceremony. On the 23rd day of January, Clarke became the 64th inductee.
Two of his greatest friends in cricket, the late Shane Warne and Philip Hughes, played limited overs cricket for Australia with No.23 and No.64 on their backs.
“What a coincidence. That makes today even more special,” Clarke said. “I think that both would be very proud.
“Cricket started as a six-year-old boy for me. I retired at 34, so it was my life. It’s still a part of my life. It’s definitely special for me, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’s just as special for your family.”
