A 1-0 Ashes lead is within sight after Australia declared at 7-401 on day three at the Gabba.
IT is never a wise move to treat a champ like a chump.
England captain Alastair Cook found this out when he treated Australian captain Michael Clarke like a tailender when he came in to bat in the first Test at the Gabba on Saturday.
Less than four hours later Clarke had raised his 25th Test century (113 off 130 balls) on the ground on which he averages better than a century per innings.
He had entered the fray in the humid first session with England chirping the field and in the midst of desperate salvage operation.
But by the time he left there was barely a peep to be heard and the vessel they were trying to raise was back on the ocean floor.
Upon arrival at the crease Clarke was several times given a single at the end of the over to a deep-set field to ensure he would face his nemesis Stuart Broad, who had dismissed him six times in his last eight innings, next over.
The move is often used to keep tailenders on strike but not for Australian captains on a mission.
As former Australian captain Mark Taylor said on the commentary "this is having a crack at his strength of character''.
Michael Clarke raises the bat after getting his century. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
The century was a major moment in his career and he celebrated with a mighty raise of both arms and kissing the crest on his helmet.
There have been other Clarke centuries delivered against more buoyant attacks, in tougher match scenarios and on more challenging decks but this was just the scene-setter he and his country needed for what shapes as a turbulent five weeks ahead.
After a humbling dismissal in the first innings when he was caught at short leg to a short ball, Clarke's game purred beautifully yesterday from the very instant he took the crease.
He punched the first ball of his innings, off Chris Tremlett, through the covers for two then was presented with a single by Jimmy Anderson who seemed to sledge Clarke as he jogged past.
With assured footwork, he moved perfectly back and across to the first ball he faced from Broad and three balls later uncorked a smoking pull shot to the fence which was a sign that the battle would be tilted his way throughout.
Michael Clarke celebrates his hundred with teammate George Bailey. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia
The very next ball produced the same result when he pulled Broad behind square leg to the fence.
Clarke's timing was so sweet that one defensive bunt raced to just inside the mid-on fence for three.
Clarke has been under a lot of pressure lately with a series of former players questioning facets of his game.
But he came to the wicket as if he did not have a single muddling thought in his head.
It was a commanding display of mental strength.
There was no hint of any conservatism against bogey man Broad who conceded 23 runs from the 21 balls he bowled to Clarke.
Clarke had raced to 15 off 17 balls by the time a break was taken for the first rain break and barely lost a sliver of momentum off the ground.
Once spinner Graeme Swann was brought into the attack the battle was effectively over for his plays the slow men better than anyone.
The plan to attack Swann was embraced with gusto and the spinner's first 24 balls to Clarke produced 28 runs including a six over mid-wicket.
Swann eventually got his man when Clarke missed a airy swoosh and was bowled but the damage had long been done.
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