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We've sniffed a win, says Clarke
Both teams may seem on an even keel at this stage but Australian vice captain Michael Clarke claims the hosts have sniffed a win in the final Test.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: January 04, 2009 04:09 PM IST
Read Time:2 min
Sydney:
Resuming on 267 for six, Australia did well to post 445 runs - 138 of which came from Clarke's bat.
In reply, South Africa finished the day at 125 for one with opener Neil McKenzie (23) back in the hut and captain Graeme Smith (30 retired hurt) suffering a nasty finger injury which ruled him out of action for six weeks.
"We've got a sniff at the moment of winning this Test match. We've got runs on the board on a wicket that is going to get a little bit up and down," Clarke said after the day's play.
According to him, the wicket would be unpredictable and Australia's three-pronged pace attack of Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle would prove quite a handful.
"It's going to stay along the ground and a couple as we've already seen can take off. So I think the quicks will play more of a part in both second innings," Clarke said.
"...I think we're in a pretty good position with 445 on the board and South Africa two down with Graeme Smith being injured," he added.
Clarke was happy to have scored his first century before home crowd but was rather upset with the way he got out to JP Duminy who made his Test debut as an off-spinner today. "As I was carrying on like a goose I actually thought this is going to look really bad if the red light comes up," Clarke said.
"I've let them (family and friends) down too many times. I managed to get my first hundred and they were all here supporting me so it was extra special," he said.
Both teams may seem on an even keel at this stage but Australian vice captain Michael Clarke claims the hosts have sniffed a win in the third and final Test on Sunday.Resuming on 267 for six, Australia did well to post 445 runs - 138 of which came from Clarke's bat.
In reply, South Africa finished the day at 125 for one with opener Neil McKenzie (23) back in the hut and captain Graeme Smith (30 retired hurt) suffering a nasty finger injury which ruled him out of action for six weeks.
"We've got a sniff at the moment of winning this Test match. We've got runs on the board on a wicket that is going to get a little bit up and down," Clarke said after the day's play.
According to him, the wicket would be unpredictable and Australia's three-pronged pace attack of Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle would prove quite a handful.
"It's going to stay along the ground and a couple as we've already seen can take off. So I think the quicks will play more of a part in both second innings," Clarke said.
"...I think we're in a pretty good position with 445 on the board and South Africa two down with Graeme Smith being injured," he added.
Clarke was happy to have scored his first century before home crowd but was rather upset with the way he got out to JP Duminy who made his Test debut as an off-spinner today. "As I was carrying on like a goose I actually thought this is going to look really bad if the red light comes up," Clarke said.
"I've let them (family and friends) down too many times. I managed to get my first hundred and they were all here supporting me so it was extra special," he said.
Topics mentioned in this article
Cricket Michael Clarke
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