Aussie Invincibility Slipping? Or is Michael Clarke a bottler?

It wasn't so long ago that Australia were deemed to be largely invincible. There's always some question raised though, when they they go to India. Mostly because they don't always win there owing to the pitches being uncondusive for bullying quicks with bristling moustaches and prancing pony fast bowlers. And don't try playing a couple of spinners because Tendulkar, Dravid and VVS are the best players of spin since Reginald Bosanquet said "here you go see if you can play that delivery".

It's a sad indication of the times when Michael Clarke

pulls a sickie

just before a big game. That's a big enough indicator that all might not be well. But look what the big girl's blouse is wearing in the photo. CATCHING GLOVES.

Now some may say that this is a bit rich coming from the close personal friend of a wicketkeeper, but Wickman reckons Clarky should always field with keeping gloves on because he couldn't catch an STD without them. But an outfielder, wearing gloves, in practice?

What does this mean for the game? Australia have obviously lost it. A retailer of cricket gear describes similar gloves as "building confidence" because the ball doesn't get away. But how confident are you going to feel when Ging Ganguly fences at a Brett Lee snorter and its shooting towards your likkle unprotected pinkies at 170kph? You are going to think "I wish I put my gloves on for this". But probably Clarke will be in his hotel bed anyway, complaining of a runny botty. And you can bet he didn't get it from the hotel's vidaloo. Oh no. He's a bottler... scared of Ishant Sharma digging one in his ribs or having to take a catch off that burly Yuvraj cove...