Hail The New Order

Michael Clarke leading from the front

He's only in his third Test and I may well be proven guilty of premature exclamation but there seems evidence of a pattern emerging that indicates Australian cricket is experiencing a new order.

It started in Sydney before the old King was even dead, when new players again received their Baggy Greens from former players. Then, after the abdication, the unwanted were discarded during the early stages of winter and although other axemen took responsibility, it was clear not all the blood was on their hands. Here in Sri Lanka, there has been a quickness in the step of players between overs and a commitment to bowl to targets. Gone are the long consultations between overs. The players seem to have a new belief in themselves and each other and the captain has been caught offering quiet encouragement to individuals.

Then the news this morning of a declaration before play and the gamble which was as much about the bowlers knowing the Skipper believed in them as it was about calculations for rain and setting up the match for a result. Out came the Aussies, all in their Baggy Greens and again, statements were being made.

Michael Clarke, the man,  had not impressed me before Sydney. I thought him too new world to consider him seriously as an Australian Test captain. Leading the pyjama side is one thing but the big job was for men of vision - not necessarily the same vision but one that was big and could see beyond the next day's play. However, he hasn't worked out the way I thought and as each hour passes in this Sri Lankan tour, there is more to be enthused about.

There has been nothing in this pitch since tea on the first day and Sri Lanka's peril has been to bat badly on the first day ... at the same time that Australia bowled well. It's been catch up for them since. During this fourth day, they have played the catch up game very well, on a pitch which is straight and true and easy to stay in on. The odd thing about this series so far is how the pitches have got better each day.

Another clever thing about Clarke's declaration this morning before play is that it would have caught Tillerkaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana completely by surprise but it if it did, it didn't show. Dilshan is reported to have read the riot act to his batsmen and demanded an improved effort or they would face the consequences, although the complete set of those hasn't been outlined. Dilshan himself led the way with great discipline for the first eight overs when he hardly played a shot but once comfortable, those booming drives started appearing. Paranavitana was also slow to get underway but mostly because of the number of times he played and missed. He must have near feathered the ball a dozen times in the first half hour. Of note also was the fielding of Phil Hughes, who continues to be slow to the ball and then have badly directed radar when throwing it under pressure. His fumble and wide throw took all the pressure of a potential run out mix up between the openers.

Paranavitan

Johnson was into the attack fairly early and he bowled a good spell which kept both batsmen under pressure, with just the right mix of unsettling short stuff and for once, control over his direction. In his fifth over, Paranavitana had the first of a brace of decisions with a dichotomy of outcomes which made him both lucky and unlucky. A rising Johnson delivery coming across the left hander and passing over leg stump was played at by the batsman in attempt to glace the ball fine. Haddin took the ball and the Australians erupted in appeal but were denied Kettleborough so Clarke sent it upstairs. Unfortunately, the technology available to assist is crude by the modern standard and although instinct gave one the impression it was out, it was no surprise that umpire Tarapore denied the review. Twenty overs later after rain and other scheduled breaks, Paranavitana swished at a widish ball from Hussey - on again to do his Golden Arm best - and again Haddin led the raucous appeal. Again denied and then sent to the pavilion, this time, the same technology and the same level of insecurity wasn't enough to save him. This time however, instinct said he didn't hit it.

Swings and roundabouts - there is both irony and justice in the great game.

In between, all that patience became to much for Dilshan and he played a dreadful shot at a ball from Harris and sent it at great haste to Watson at first slip who made no mistake. The blood must fairly race about Dilshan's head sometimes.

Sangakkara

Sangakkara and Jayawardene, the best of the Sri Lankans both in temperament and skill then combined to add 95 at a pedestrian pace but run rates count for little in the pursuit of saving a Test match. They offered Clarke and his myriad of bowlers no joy until right at the death when Jayawardene tried to sweep Lyon from well outside off stump but succeeded only in gloving the ball and plopping it towards leg gully with Haddin and Clarke doing their best to get a hand to it. Sangakkara, after an ambitious drive on the off early in his innings from Harris, didn't strike another boundary until Clarke came on in the 62nd over ... more than thirty overs later.

Mahela Jayawardene

Clarke used seven bowlers, including himself and Hussey but had to be content with only two wickets. They all bowled well, but Copeland and especially Johnson were the pick. Johnson bowled with great rhythm and he's bowled much worse on days when he's picked up four or five wickets. If he can bottle this consistency, he will be a valuable bowler for Australia again. Lyon was outclassed by the quality of the batsmen and the lack of demons in the pitch but he will have learned lessons from the experience.

Sri Lanka finished only 14 behind. No matter when Clarke declared it would have been difficult if the Sri Lankans applied themselves, as suggested by a regular follower of this correspondent, Leftie. A good call son.

With the pitch still perfect and more rain about, it will take something special early doors with the new ball for the Australians rattle through. Three wickets before lunch should be enough but five would be better. Ryan Harris might be the go to man again. A draw looks likely but this man Clarke seems capable of pulling the odd rabbit from his hat so stay tuned.