Clarke calls on Australia's young guns to keep making most of opportunity

Johannesburg [South Africa], Dec. 7 (ANI): With Australia once again looking to regain its lost form, at least in the ODIs after clinching comprehensive wins in the first two games of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand, former skipper Michael Clarke has said while captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner have led from the front, the new breed were now proving their worth. During the first two ODIs against the Black Caps, it was expected of Warner and Smith to fire. But what would have been more pleasing for the Australian management were the performances of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. Smith, who scored a record-breaking 164 in the series opener, made 72 while Warner, who has established himself as one of, if not the most devastating opening batsmen in world cricket, struck a blistering 119-run knock in the second ODI which the hosts won comfortably by 118 runs. On the other hand, Head, who smashed 52 in the first ODI at the SCG, scored his second consecutive fifty while under pressure Marsh smashed seven sixes on his way to an unbeaten 76 in the Canberra ODI. "Smith and Warner, they've showed their class over a long period of time. We know they can make runs and perform at the highest level, we just need these other players now to take their time and be given enough opportunity, to grab their opportunity like Head and Marsh have done," Sport24 quoted Clarke as saying. "I think we should not get too carried away at this stage either way." "I said that when Australia lost the Test series to South Africa, not to get too carried away that Australian cricket was in such a bad place. I never thought it was in such a bad place, because I've always believed there is a lot of talent," he added. The former skipper asserted that the opportunities like the first two ODIs are what Head needs to prove his worth. "Opportunities like the first two ODIs for Head is exactly what he needs and he is scoring runs. Marsh just making runs there ... we've got to keep the faith with certain players and allow them time to spend in the middle," the 35-year-old said. The two teams will next lock horns in the inconsequential third ODI on December 9 at the MCG. (ANI)