3 minute read
For the second time in days, Australian captain Michael Clarke has had fans and the West Indies guessing with another shock decision in the Caribbean.
So just what will Michael Clarke pull out of his baggy green cap next?
Less than a week after declaring while trailing by 43 runs to give his team a chance of victory in the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados, Clarke left onlookers scratching their heads once more on Monday in Trinidad.
As Australia took to the field at Queen's Park Oval after being bowled out for 311 in the second Test against the Windies, it wasn't Ben Hilfenhaus or James Pattinson heading to the crease with new ball in hand, it was Michael Beer.
That's right - Michael Beer, the left-arm spinner in his second Test.
Just like most of Clarke's punts as captain, the instinct to open with Beer was a good one as the West Australian combined with Hilfenhaus to keep the Windies scoreless for 32 balls.
By the time the Windies did get off the mark, they were already a wicket down thanks to Hilfenhaus trapping Kraigg Brathwaite lbw and then Beer rewarded his captain's innovation with his second Test scalp, removing Adrian Barath with the score on 26.
By stumps on day two, the Windies were struggling at 3-49, once again seemingly undone by a Clarke tactical move.
"I think a lot of captaincy is going with that gut feel and, obviously, he did have that gut feeling," said Michael Hussey, who had earlier ensured Australia passed 300 in an 89-run stand with James Pattinson.
"He batted for quite a time on that pitch and maybe that's what he found the most difficult to play as well.
"I'm not sure if he spoke to anyone about it but, yeah, it proved to be a good decision. And once he makes a decision, we're 100 per cent behind it."
Given his track record so far, the belief the team has in Clarke is understandable but opening with Beer was a unique head-scratcher.
The 27-year-old took 1-112 in his only Test before Trinidad, the final Ashes match in Sydney in early 2011.
Despite touring Sri Lanka and South Africa last year, Beer has barely looked like playing since the SCG debut with Nathan Lyon emerging as the country's No.1 spinner.
But after a domestic summer where he took 26 wickets at 26.42 in eight Sheffield Shield matches, Beer is a more confident and assured bowler than he was according to Hussey.
"I think he'll be better prepared for success now that he's had a bit of that taste and he's had to go back and ply his trade again for WA," Hussey said.
"I hope he can really take his opportunity in this particular Test match but I hope that there's more opportunities for him in the future."
