Michael Clarke names 'Top 7' batsmen he played with or against, two Indians make it to the list

Michael Clarke, the former Aussie skipper was a great batsman, who donned national jersey for 12 years. He played against different players from other nations and some all-time greats as well. However, he has now listed out the seven players that were the best when it comes to batting in international cricket.

The 39-year-old made his debut for Australia back in 2003 and ended up being one of their best batsmen. He mustered 8,643 runs in Tests and 7981 runs in ODIs with the help of 36 tons and 8f half-centuries across all the formats. Clarke was also an efficient part-time bowler. He accounted for a total of 88 international wickets. Moreover, Australia won the 2015 World Cup under his captaincy.

Clark’s international career spanned for 12 years and he came across various batsmen. In an interview with Big Sports Breakfast, he picked seven best batsmen he played with or against them in international cricket.

BRIAN LARA

“Probably my favourite batsman through my career,” Clarke said. “You look at statistics and his average is probably not as high as others names on this list but it was the way he played, whether that it was against fast bowlers or spinners. It was the success he had against Australia.

That’s the other thing about these batsmen I’ve picked is that they all dominated Australia. You think of an attack with McGrath, Gillespie, Brett Lee, Shane Warne — these guys bowling to these batsmen — and they all found a way to have success,” added Clarke.

SACHIN TENDULKAR

“Probably technically the best batsman I ever saw. The hardest batsman to get out. I think Sachin, technically, didn’t have a weakness. Part of you hoped that he made a mistake,” said Clarke about the Indian legend.

VIRAT KOHLI

Clarke also lauded current Indian skipper Virat Kohli while saying, “I think right now the best batsman across all three formats.”

“His one day and T20 records are phenomenal and he’s also found a way to dominate Test cricket. What Kohli and Tendulkar have in common is they love making big hundreds.”

AB De VILLIERS

“I’m hoping he comes back and plays for South Africa again. Superstar. Can bat anywhere in the order. Dominates T20 cricket. He can score runs anywhere around the ground,” said Clarke about the South African stalwart.

JACQUES KALLIS

Clarke also termed Jacques Kallis as the best all-rounder he has played against. He heaped praise on Kallis and said, “The greatest all-rounder that I played against. The impact he had against Australia, the way he was able score runs against our attack was extraordinary.”

RICKY PONTING

Clarke also including his former skipper and teammate Ricky Ponting. “He’s probably the best Australian batsman I played with,” said Clarke.

“I was lucky enough to play with some great batsman — Matthew Hayden, Steve Smith, David Warner, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn who was a genius. What separates Ricky is the era that he played. Just about every attack had two or three top-line, world-class bowlers and he was able to dominate them,” he added.

KUMAR SANGAKKARA

To finish off, Clarke included Sangakkara and said that the world keeps forgetting Sangakkara quite often. “He seems to be forgotten regularly.”

“Phenomenal. Batted at number three which I think is the toughest position. I think he scored three hundred in a row in a world cup. Sangakkara was a force and an absolute gentleman of the game,” said Clarke.