This never happens in subcontinent

[fair_&_balance]

In subcontient ,players dont give up untill one of their leg is in grave or they are kicked
out of team. This is what makes this aussies great team.



Lehmann considers handing Test spot to Clarke

Wisden Cricinfo staff

October 13, 2004


Darren Lehmann could give his place to Michael Clarke, the "genius" who scored a fabulous century on debut in Bangalore, so he can have an unrestricted start to his Test career.

In a move that could end his own international ambitions, Lehmann, the current vice-captain, said he would not stand in the way of a younger player and would consider moving aside for the third Test, when Ricky Ponting is expected to return from a broken left thumb.

"That's something I'll think about and talk about after this Test match," he said. "If I was a selector I would think that Michael Clarke should play every Test for the next 10 or 12 years. If a guy plays a genius knock like that in the first innings of his first Test and is earmarked by all of us to play well, you have to let him."

Clarke's 151 created a batting-order traffic jam and before the first innings of the first Test was over there were calls for Lehmann, who averages 49.37 in 21 Tests and scored 17 and 14 in Bangalore, to be dropped.

"We always knew he was pretty special," Lehmann said. "We probably held him back for maybe a year or so to really make sure he was ready to play. He works bloody hard at the game and respects the game more than any other youngster that I've seen for a long time."

The move would cost Lehmann $15,000 for each missed Test and put in doubt his Cricket Australia contract, which is worth around A$650,000 a season. But Lehmann, 34, said it was not a generous decision. "Sometimes you have to make it for them [the selectors] because it's a lot harder for them to make," he said. "I don't think blokes should be playing on too long. It is a bit different from state cricket where you can help out some young blokes. In international cricket sometimes you might be holding up a spot for a young guy."

[Shaka]

Not sure Lehmann should be making the selectors job easier for them. I don't care how good Clarke is, for me a player with Lehmann's record should always want to pull on the nation's shirt himself first and foremost. It smacks a little bit of defeatism to me, even if that's not the case.

[Beny]

Trevor Hons (chair of selectors) has gone on record saying that Lehmans offer wont sway them one bit and that proformance will decide who gets into the third test. He has also said that he hopes Lehman makes it hard for them by scoring some runs today.

[flanflinger]

Doesn't actually matter now any way Ponting is out of the final test as well

[Occasional Fan]

Jumping the gun a bit there, FF. He's out of the third, only "doubtful" for the fourth. I wouldn't have money on him playing either of them though.

[flanflinger]

OF, I must have mis-read it...sorry

[sanz]

Personally I dont agree with Lehman's position. Why should he give up his spot to Clark, I mean shouldn't Clark earn his spot rather than being gifted by Lehman ?? And If anyone thinks that Clark has earned his spot then Lehman shouldn't say that he is giving his spot to Clark.

Personally I think that Lehman is a much better Batsman than Clark and has played a great role in Australia's success over the years.

[Beny]

The point is that clarke's debut has been a long time coming and even now he may have to lose his spot once ponting comes back. Lehman is a fantastic player no-doubt but Clarke is somebody who is going to be a Ricky Ponting like player. It is expected that one day he will be captian and we hope to also get another 10-12 years out of the young guy. I would debate the "Lehman's better" part but even if, Lehmans got 11 years over clarke and clarke will get better having been exposed to international cricket.

[Shaka]

I would replace Lehmann with Clarke regardless. Once the guy's offered up his place voluntarily he doesn't want it enough anyway.

[Beny]

No I dissagree. It's just the fact that lehman is being a good bloke rather than him wanting to give up his spot. Let's remember its not like he called a press confrence to anounce this, a reporter asked him and he said that he did not want to get in the way of one of Australia's greatest young batsmen.