Australia will whitewash Sri Lanka and India says Stuart Clarke

[PaiN_KiLLeR]

http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2007/oct/26clark.htm Australia seamer Stuart Clark has predicted that Australia would blank the visiting Indians 4-0 in the upcoming Test series. The lanky fast-medium bowler, thus, carried on the tradition of the great Glenn McGrath who had a habit of making such pre-series predictions. Clark said Australia would win all the six home Tests to be played this summer, including the two against Sri Lanka. "It's going to be a great summer with Sri Lanka and India coming out," Clarke said at the series launch in Sydney. "And hopefully, the fans can come out and support us and we can bring home 4-0 and 2-0 series wins." When quizzed further on the prospect of a series whitewash against both India and Sri Lanka, Clark said: "I have just predicted 4-0 and 2-0". McGrath, who retired after Australia's World Cup triumph in the West Indies earlier this year, used to make stunning pre-series predictions in his 124 Test career. To the delight of cricket fans, he would also declare who was his "bunny" each series and, more often than not, take their wicket at least once. Clarke, however, would not single out a bunny, declaring he would target them all. "Glenn always targeted the batsman but I think I would hold off on that one at this stage of my career," Clark said. "Any time you play against these guys [India and Sri Lanka] it is going to be a tremendous challenge. I am just going to target them all. Hopefully I can get them all out." Clark is considered a like-for-like successor for McGrath and prides himself on line and length and using his height to trouble batsman. But the New South Wales bowler said he wants to carve his own niche in international cricket. "You always want to be your own man but we do similar things in the game," Clark said. "I'll just be out there doing my best."

[PaiN_KiLLeR]

Aussies say he is Mcgrath's replacement. Well, he has certainly reminded me of Mcgrath's 'we will win 5-0' comment prior to the 2005 ashes series.

[bharat297]

Ive never understood what the big deal is with these comments ... every player predicts a win in every match that they play. If the Indians and Lankans arent thinking of beating Australia 4-0 and 2-0 , well that says something about their mindset doesnt it?

[King]

The comments generally doesn't mean anything. Sreesanth can say India may will win 4-0, Clark can say Aussies will win 4-0 and so forth. In the end it's a matter of how the team as a unit will fare on more number of days. I think for once McGrath and Warnie not playing for Australia arouses a little more interest in this series.