Got to grab opportunities: Clarke
First Published : 05 Feb 2012, 19:06
Last Modified : 06 Feb 2012, 10:56
Melbourne, Feb 5: Michael Clarke was pleased with the overall display by his team as they beat India in the first match of the ODI tri-series by 65 runs. The skipper appreciated Matthew Wade’s match-winning performance on debut and praised the Hussey brothers for their batting display.
Excerpts from the Australian captain’s post-match interview with the media:
On the win
It’s nice to win. It’s such a great start to the one-day part of the series, that’s for sure. I thought the guys played pretty well throughout the Twenty20 [series] and as you see tonight, the guys that have been playing the Big Bash and played the Australian Twenty20 were perfectly suited to tonight’s game.
On Australia returning from the rain interruption high on energy
Yes. We knew we had only 21 overs left in the game so we had to be as positive as we possibly could. I thought that Wadey [Matthew Wade] was outstanding in his first match. David Hussey continues his form the Big Bash and the Australian Twenty20s [against India]. [Michael] Hussey, what can you say? Same old, same old for Hussey; he continues to make runs in any form of the game.
On the bowling attack performing consistently despite different bowlers being brought into the side
We are executing our plans [well] which is most pleasing. You get an opportunity [and] you’ve got to grab it with both hands. We have seen so many good players throughout the summer coming in and performing because I know that somebody else not far behind wants your spot. This team’s no different. [It has] been selected for the first three one-dayers and we are all pushing hard for selection.
On the outstanding fielding performance by Ricky Ponting
His body is that of a 32- or 33-year-old. He is young and fresh [and] he is catching well and he is batting well so I reckon he is looking for a few runs in Perth.
