Michael Clarke Shows Faith in Australia Bowlers with Attacking Declaration

With eight wickets in hand and a lead of 391, it would have been easy for Michael Clarke to push his Australia team forwards in search of quick runs against the West Indies.

The Test in Kingston, Jamaica, was only in the third day, and with No. 3 Steven Smith at the crease alongside his captain and set fair, the Baggy Green could have upped the ante.

They could have looked to accelerate in the closing overs Saturday and in at least some of the opening session tomorrow, still giving themselves plenty of time to bowl the hosts out.

However, having declared on 212-2, and with the West Indies already struggling on 16-2 at the close, Clarke’s decision has been vindicated, and it shows his trust in his bowlers.

Mitchell Starc started things off well with two wickets in his first over, as he removed both West Indian openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika without scoring.

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It meant that the home side are already reeling in their fourth-innings run chase, and they already look like they will struggle against a deep and potent bowling attack.

The first innings gave the West Indies the perfect look at what they will come up against second time around, on a wearing pitch that is likely to keep rewarding bowlers.

Starc and Mitchell Johnson represent two very strong left-arm fast bowlers, who are both capable of swinging the ball and doing so at pace.

They may have only finished with one wicket apiece in the first innings, but having both those weapons at his disposal gives Clarke some strong options.

In addition, Josh Hazlewood stepped up to deliver 5-38 for his second-ever five-wicket haul in Tests, including the vital wickets of Jermaine Blackwood and Denesh Ramdin.

He is still young at just 24 years of age, but he has shown plenty of ability already in this game and has proven himself capable of causing all batsmen problems.

Then, spinner Nathan Lyon has already exploited a turning wicket with 3-55 in the first innings, with his economy rate staying very low throughout.

The off-spinner’s removal of the relatively experienced pair of Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo was crucial in Australia restricting the hosts to 220 all out.

Finally, the likes of Shane Watson, Clarke himself and even Adam Voges are all able to deliver overs and could find themselves in the wickets if they hit form.

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It takes a bold captain to declare when Clarke declared, with plenty of time left for the West Indies to possibly take what would be an improbable victory.

However, bold he is, and the decision also shows real faith in a deep and talented bowling unit that will back itself to take the remaining wickets for the win.

He knows he has plenty of weapons at his disposal in a wealth of resources not seen for some time, and Clarke clearly wanted to give them as much time as possible to bowl the home side out.

Already, the Baggy Green have started well with the ball, so they will be desperate to finish the job and reward their captain’s trust in them.