Clarke opts for batting practice
AFP
AFP, DERBY (UK): Australia captain Michael Clarke got in some batting practice ahead of the third Ashes Test against England as a tour match with Derbyshire petered out into a draw on Saturday.
Clarke, one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation, has been struggling for runs so far against England this tour with a top score of 38 in four Test innings.
He decided to give himself extra time in the middle on Saturdays third and final day by promoting himself to open after opting against enforcing the follow-on.
Clarke was 44 not out in an Australia second innings total of 95 for one in 24.1 overs when he offered a draw, even though there was still roughly an hour-and-a-half left in the days play.
Clarke batted for 96 minutes and faced 74 balls, including eight fours.
However, he was not at his fluent best and should have been out for 19 when wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein dropped a chance off teenage debutant Will Davis, who dismissed Clarke for 16 in the first innings.
Earlier, Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh took four for 41 as Derbyshire were dismissed for 259 in the tourists final match before the third Test starts at Birminghams Edgbaston ground on Wednesday.
Derbyshire were 154 runs adrift of Australias first innings 413 for nine declared, which featured hundreds by openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh.
Derbyshires Tony Palladino, primarily a seam bowler, top-scored with 82 off just 68 balls, including eight fours and four sixes.
Together with David Wainwright (38) he put on 105 for the eighth wicket.
Although Clarke could have enforced the follow-on, as Derbyshire were not within 150 runs of the tourists first innings score, he chose to bat again instead.
The only wicket Derbyshire managed on Saturday came when Shaun Marsh, Mitchells older brother, retired at tea on 30.
Derbyshire resumed Saturday on 81 for two with skipper Wayne Madsen 14 not out and Scott Elstone unbeaten on 13.
