Clarke enjoys the sensational hundred
Michael Clarke showed his stunning strokeplay on an Australian ground for the first time and gave a small insight into his pre-innings battle with nerves
Wisden Cricinfo staff
20-Nov-2004
Michael Clarke showed his stunning strokeplay on an Australian ground for the first time and gave a small insight into his pre-innings battle with nerves. He spoke to the media at the end of the day's play.
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Michael Clarke
On his first hundred at home
That was special. I had a lot of family watching and I was getting sent text messages last night. And what an unbelievable day to see Glenn McGrath make his first Test fifty - that's close to the best thing I've seen in cricket.
On his first hundred at home
That was special. I had a lot of family watching and I was getting sent text messages last night. And what an unbelievable day to see Glenn McGrath make his first Test fifty - that's close to the best thing I've seen in cricket.
On batting with Adam Gilchrist
There wasn't much talk [about the hundred] till before the last ball. He asked me how I was feeling and I said, "I'll tell you after this ball." It turned out well.
There wasn't much talk [about the hundred] till before the last ball. He asked me how I was feeling and I said, "I'll tell you after this ball." It turned out well.
On the shot to bring up his hundred
Last ball before lunch all I was thinking about was getting through to lunch, but the ball just happened to be in the right spot. Luckily for me it came out of the middle of the bat.
Last ball before lunch all I was thinking about was getting through to lunch, but the ball just happened to be in the right spot. Luckily for me it came out of the middle of the bat.
On comparing the innings to his debut hundred
They were very different, the conditions and circumstances. I can't compare them, both are as special as each other. It's always great to play in front of an Australian crowd.
They were very different, the conditions and circumstances. I can't compare them, both are as special as each other. It's always great to play in front of an Australian crowd.
On coping with the pressure of high standards
Unfortunately in life some things don't go to plan. At the moment for me in Test cricket they have gone to plan, but there are going to be down times and I know that and expect that. I want to continue to make the most of the good times.
Unfortunately in life some things don't go to plan. At the moment for me in Test cricket they have gone to plan, but there are going to be down times and I know that and expect that. I want to continue to make the most of the good times.
On his first Test in Australia
I was very nervous, but I'm nervous every time I play so I don't find that difficult to accept. I try to listen to as much music as I can before I bat. I've got the ipod on so I listen to whatever's on that.
I was very nervous, but I'm nervous every time I play so I don't find that difficult to accept. I try to listen to as much music as I can before I bat. I've got the ipod on so I listen to whatever's on that.
On his family being there to watch
My mum's here with my aunt and my sister. Unfortunately dad had to work, but I'm pretty sure he watched it. I'm pretty sure I'll talk to him tonight if he's not too pissed - he'll be doing some celebrating.
My mum's here with my aunt and my sister. Unfortunately dad had to work, but I'm pretty sure he watched it. I'm pretty sure I'll talk to him tonight if he's not too pissed - he'll be doing some celebrating.
On McGrath's half-century
It's so unbelievable, Glenn works so hard on his batting. He's a fantastic bowler but he really deserves a Test fifty. Everybody but Justin Langer put their whites on when Glenn went out, we thought we'd be fielding in a few balls.
It's so unbelievable, Glenn works so hard on his batting. He's a fantastic bowler but he really deserves a Test fifty. Everybody but Justin Langer put their whites on when Glenn went out, we thought we'd be fielding in a few balls.
On Australia batting tomorrow
I'm pretty sure they'll definitely continue batting so Jason Gillespie can get his first Test fifty.
I'm pretty sure they'll definitely continue batting so Jason Gillespie can get his first Test fifty.