Why Clarke shouldn't play India Test series
Even if Michael Clarke is fit for Australia’s upcoming Test series against India, he shouldn’t play.
Clarke will be intent on exacting some revenge on the Indians, who Australia were thrashed 4-0 by last time the two sides met in the subcontinent in 2013, but the stakes in 2015 are far too high.
The Aussies will kick off 2015 by hosting the World Cup down under and then defend their recently-acquired Ashes trophy in England in July.
The enormity of these two events makes it almost impossible for Australian selectors to pick Clarke for the India series, starting December 4.
A series win will see his side go close to reclaiming the No.1 ranking in Test cricket, a mantle they lost to South Africa in the lead-up to their disastrous away series against Pakistan.
But Clarke’s availability for the World Cup and Ashes is far more important.
Australia’s hopes in both will be far greater with a fit and firing Clarke.
Coach Darren Lehmann remains hopeful that his skipper will be there at the Gabba.
"At the moment, he's captain of Australia and, if he's fit to play and gets through the next little bit, then hopefully he'll front up in the first Test."
But Boof appears to be on a different page to Cricket Australia High Performance Manager Pat Howard.
"We are putting the World Cup and Ashes right up there."
"I have talked about the priorities and what they are. Sometimes you have got to take a little bit of a long-term and a medium-term picture.
"If we do this well, we can get extra years out of Michael who is a world-class player, rather than thinking in days and tournaments.
"We've seen him rushed back (before) and what we'd hate is for him to play a Test or two and then break down," Howard said.
If Clarke doesn’t play, wicket-keeper Brad Haddin will take over the captaincy.
But with Haddin also under an injury cloud, the exciting prospect of Steve Smith or David Warner captaining Australia arises.
If Smith is indeed the heir apparent that he has been touted as, why not give him a taste in this series?
The 25-year-old has already shown an astute cricket brain and maturity well beyond his years in his short stint in the Test side.
Clarke’s absence will also open the door for a fringe batsman to cement a place in the side.
The enigmatic Shane Watson is set to regain his place, but the likes of Alex Doolan and Glenn Maxwell will be hoping Clarke’s spot is vacant.
Doolan’s axing from the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi was somewhat unjustified and the classy Tasmanian definitely deserves a second chance.
Maxwell failed to fire in his latest Test appearance, but is straight out of the Warner mould and could thrive if given a decent stint in the team.
