Michael Clarke left Old Trafford a richer man on Monday after pocketing 2,500 pounds for being man of the match.
The Australia captain had wanted much, much more from the third Ashes Test than a giant check, though. “Everyone in that changing room is hurting,” Clarke said after England escaped from soggy Manchester with a series-clinching draw and the retention of the Ashes urn.
Clarke had drawn roars of laughter after Australia’s heavy loss in the second Test at lord’s when he claimed his team could come from 2-0 down to win the five-match series. Yet the tourists’ dominance of the third Test showed he was right to have remained so optimistic. And when Australia reduced England to 27-3 before lunch on the final day, the miracle comeback was on.
Then came the rain. “We are just frustrated that we didn’t get the whole match in,” Clarke said. “It could have been a classic test match — it would have been a great finish today. I think all players are just disappointed that England have retained the Ashes and we haven’t been able to win this Test because of the weather.”