Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, a member of the legendary 2004 team that ended a 35-year drought by winning in India, remains one of the sharpest voices in world cricket. Now a commentator, Clarke spoke exclusively to Boria Majumdar, Editor-in-Chief of RevSportz, ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa.
Boria: In your view, are Australia the favourites for the WTC final?
Michael Clarke:
Yes, I think so. Australia are playing brilliant cricket at the moment. The way we dominated India at home showed our strength, and I believe conditions in England will also suit us. Experience is key in one-off Test matches, and Australia’s squad has plenty of it — especially in the pace attack with Hazlewood, Starc, and Cummins, all of whom are match-ready even after T20 cricket.
That said, I feel South Africa deserve far more credit than they get. They’ve played some outstanding cricket to reach this final and fully deserve to be here. If they bring their best, anything can happen. But for me, yes — Australia are favourites.
Boria: Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Boland — if they all come together, how big is that for Australia?
Clarke:
It’s a massive advantage. I do think Nathan Lyon will play as well — and that’s important because he’s been excellent in English conditions.
It’s really tough on Scott Boland — he has been phenomenal — but if Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins are fit, they’re still our first-choice pace trio. Boland is probably next in line, but that just shows the depth and quality of this Australian attack.
Boria: Is Steve Smith still Australia’s X-factor?
Clarke:
Absolutely. I’m confident Steve Smith will score runs. The real question for me is Australia’s top three — who bats where?
If Marnus Labuschagne is playing this Test, I think he should stay at No. 3, which means we need a proper opener with Usman Khawaja. That will likely be Cameron Green — I expect him to be picked over Sam Konstas.
But if this is going to be Marnus’s final Test match, then perhaps they will move Green to No. 3 for future planning and open with Marnus. Personally, I find the Konstas situation confusing — if he’s good enough to open, just put him in. You don’t wait for the “perfect moment.” He could’ve played in Sri Lanka and scored a century.
Boria: Cameron Green — a huge addition to Australia’s line-up?
Clarke:
Massive. At the moment, he’s just focusing on his batting, but once he’s bowling at full strength again, it’s a game-changer. And let’s not forget what an exceptional fielder he is.
Beau Webster is another brilliant option — he has contributed with both ball and bat. For me, he’s a fantastic No. 6. Going forward, Australia can field three quicks, Lyon, two genuine all-rounders, and use Travis Head as a part-time off-spinner. Even Marnus can chip in with leg-spin. It’s a very well-balanced team — the only big question for this match is the opening combination.
Boria: Last question — what do you make of South Africa, and the Kagiso Rabada factor?
Clarke:
They should be very proud of where they are. Reaching the WTC final shows how consistent they’ve been over the past year. For me, they have nothing to lose. They should go out and play fearless, aggressive cricket against Australia.
Their bowling attack is strong enough to trouble any side — and Rabada will be fired up to deliver on a big stage like this. If they bring their best cricket and play without fear, they absolutely have the ability to win.
