Two matches, two captains and two centuries. Continuity is one of leadership's more useful allies, and Michael Clarke took up where his predecessor left off by crafting a century of high quality to mirror Ricky Ponting's hundred against India in his final match as Australian captain.
That day in Ahmedabad, Ponting had driven himself to a first century in more than a year after Clarke threw his wicket away with an unsightly heave. In Mirpur, it was Clarke who held the innings together once Ponting had unsteadied it by contriving with Shane Watson to end an innings of 34 that was brimming with promise. For both men the change of office appeared to have done plenty of good. Ponting was relaxed, focused and timing the ball better than he had in months, Clarke sensitive to the rhythms of the innings yet powerful enough to strike a last-over six to crest three figures. In this way Ponting's visage at the crease was as significant as that of Clarke, though there was no question which man's picture would adorn the sports pages in Australia on Sunday.
Thus far, Clarke and Ponting, the two central characters in a captaincy episode of the sort seldom seen in Australian cricket, have played their roles more or less as billed. Clarke has shown himself to be an energetic and empathic leader, doing his best to speak to each player and spending plenty of time with his vice-captain Watson discussing tactics, strategy and the general well-being of the team. On the eve of the first match Clarke and Watson were often in conversation, and the captain could still be seen in his tracksuit, pacing around the team's Dhaka hotel, long after the rest of the players had retired to civilian clothes, or to bed.
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