Clarke set to tackle Yousuf’s 2006 record
Michael Clarke has scored four double centuries in this year. -Photo by Reuters
SYDNEY: Michael Clarke’s recent performances have earned him comparisons to the Aussie great Donald Bradman, which is considered the highest praise that can be bestowed on a batsman.
To have actually outdone the batting master, as Michael Clarke did on Thursday on the Adelaide Oval ground that Bradman called home for much of his career, summoned up special plaudits.
But that is not where it stops for Clarke in this brilliant year for the Australia captain – he is also set to tackle Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf’s 2006 record of most runs in a year.
Yousuf over took West Indies’ Sir Viv Richards’ record, which had been unbroken for 30 years, during the third Test between Pakistan and West Indies in Karachi after playing a total of 11 Tests and scoring nine centuries.
With three Tests – one more against South Africa and two against Sri Lanka – remaining before the end of 2012, Clarke could yet break Yousuf’s record of 1788 runs in a calendar year.
The Australia captain’s scored 230 in the first innings of the second Test against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval, making him the first batsman to score four double centuries in a calendar year.
Clarke has so far scored 1,280 runs in 2012.
That the hosts, who also enjoyed centuries from opener Dave Warner and Mike Hussey on Thursday, were unable to overhaul the 1910 record of most runs scored in Australia in one day (494) was only due to the tourists miserly over rate.
“There is, of course, a record book that can confine him, but it will take much rewriting,” Greg Baum wrote in the Age about Clarke’s superb form.
Dont worry he wont be able to brake Yousuf’s record. He ain’t good enough lads.
Stop fighting guys and comparing guys, what yusaf had done in 2006 was really an achievement and that’s why it’s in record list and the way Clarke is playing is also so awesome, He definitely deserves appreciation for it. It’s because of him that we are able to watch good cricket…
Well Mohmammad Yousef was playing under tremendous pressure and on different wickets. While Clark was mostly batting on batting tracks and he did not face any exceptional bowlers.
Article is on Clarke… So if you are supporter of cricket then give him due credit as he has scored his runs mostly against England and South Africa which are top teams
Unlike Yousaf’s hundreds mostly against Windies and Bangladesh… Neither captaining the side…
you are just a hater, clarke will never be able to break Yusuf’s record,
Faisal you are a fool for sure. Appreciate good talent when it slaps you in the face. No one can say for sure Clarke will not beat the record?
I disagree. Clarke can never break the record of TABLEEGS Yousuf attended during his record. Nor how many times Yousuf missed his pracice and trainings due to TABLEEGS. Whenever we have a WORLD CLASS TALENT we target him and make him a TABLEEGEE as if there are not enough here.Gosh.
Great stuff from a brilliant batsman. But making up the difference between 1788 and 1265 is 563. He would have to average 87.16 in the remaining 6 innings to match it. A pretty tall order but not insurmountable, considering his average this year to be 140.56. If he bats with at least the same average, he can make 702. Still achievable.
Depends which team and venue …Timings and Eye on ball makes difference. Only Javed Miaddad had nerves and tacknic but politics,he did not learn…
Same is Afridi!
Javed Miandad was a Tendulkar of his time. Politics didn’t matter, he just didn’t want to leave the game. If given half a chance, he is still willing to come back.
Yusuf’s record is by fluke whereas Mike Clarke’s feat is a reflection of a great dedication and hard work.
9 Hundreds and 1788 runs a “fluke”?, how is Dawn allowing such people to even commint.
Gul bhai do u want to listen only on what you believe…
Fluke??? We are talking about Muhammad Yusuf not Sachin Tendulkar…
uve lost it man hahahahaha
exactly gul
great display of batting… looking forward to see him making new records……………….. well done
great stuff from a great batsman
if such stuff is great, then yusuf has done it before clarke, so he is greater,
i wonder why we have to be so defensive in a simple gesture of respect of some one’s achievement and talent. Just because Clark is a talent does not mean that Yousuf is being demeaned. Stop being so insecure and appreciate the sport