Sydney: Clarke has been an excellent captain, proactive and tactically aware. As a batsman, he delighted with well-timed shots but he was also capable of bravery under fire.


Michael Clarke. Pic/Getty Images 

By keeping Clarke's bat in check along with the team total for the bulk of this Ashes series, England successfully negated the expected Australian captaincy advantage. On the two occasions when Australia did apply themselves in the first innings, Clarke was able to utilise his imagination and domination was achieved.