'Being four-nil up is an amazing feeling'
Australia skipper Michael Clarke delighted in victory, after a questionable decision to bowl first after winning the toss resulted in an eight-wicket win – and four-nil series lead – over England after day four of the penultimate Test on Sunday.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke delighted in victory, after a questionable decision to bowl first after winning the toss resulted in an eight-wicket win – and four-nil series lead – over England after day four of the penultimate Test on Sunday.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground has traditionally seen teams choose to bat first, but Clarke bucked the trend, instead allowing seamers Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle – and spinner Nathan Lyon – an early opportunity.
The bowlers dutifully obliged, dismissing the English for a mere 255 all out, with Johnson the pick of the attack en route to figures of five for 63. Lyon's five-for, later, ensured the opposition's second-innings amounted to a mere 179 all out.
Half-centuries from all-rounder Shane Watson and wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin and an outstanding century from opener Chris Rogers, meanwhile, proved ample for the dominant hosts.
"I wouldn't stand here and say I didn't expect us to win the series. With the team we have and the amount of work the guys have put in for a long time, I certainly had faith we would win the series. But to be four-nil up, It's hard to describe. It's an amazing feeling," enthused Clarke.
"Even in my own mind, after the first day, for me to bowl first I expected to bowl the opposition out on that first day. That didn't go to plan, but it shows the confidence I have in our bowlers. Our bowling attack is outstanding."
Australia's batsmen, too, struggled at the MCG. A first-innings tally of 204 all out was rather inadequate, but Rogers' patient 116 – and Watson's aggressive 83 not out – ultimately righted the wrongs.
"We were behind in the game. We were quite worried, but we knew if we hung in there we'd get a few wickets and then hopefully knock the tail over. Then to come out and bat so well, that's fantastic," added Rogers. "It doesn't get better than this. To win a Boxing Day Test and to get a ton on the last day – it's what dreams are made of."
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