Mitch's mentor says best is to come

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THE plumbing van driver who once saved Mitchell Johnson's career is certain the best is yet to come.

Johnson's friend, mentor and former Brisbane Norths club coach Brett Mortimer says the 32-year-old quick was out injured so much earlier in his career that is only now starting to reach his peak.

Mortimer famously re-ignited Johnson's career in 2003 when he gave him a job driving plumbing vans and helped him rebuild confidence and iron out technical flaws at a time when he had lost his Queensland contract.

Johnson was back to his scary best with a bang when he skittled the hapless Poms during the Gabba Test - and Mortimer expects him to keep getting better.

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"I was always hoping he would get one more crack (at Test cricket) because he was a late starter to cricket and then he missed several years out injured when he was younger," Mortimer said.

"Then he spent more time out of the game in the last few years. Because of that, I don't think he has really reached his peak yet.

"I reckon the best is in front of him."

Mortimer, who was in the stands for the first day of the Gabba Test, believes Australian fast bowling coach Craig McDermott has worked wonders with Johnson.

And he says Johnson must take enormous credit for overcoming his mental demons from previous tortured battles against the Poms. The fast bowler's career was almost ruined in England in 2009 when on and off-field problems plagued him and the Barmy Army taunted him relentlessly.

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"To get over those scars and to come out throwing punches is great," Mortimer says.

"He just looks a different cricketer now. This is a coming of age for him.

"I always knew he had the ability. It's just good to see him fulfil his promise."

As Johnson exacted revenge on the Poms, Mortimer noticed some subtle technical changes in his action which have helped him back to full firepower.

"He is a lot more balanced at the crease than what he was before," Mortimer says.

"His head is nice and still.

"He really doesn't get tall at the crease but he does get high with his arms.

"Have a look at his arms, he has got really long arms.

"When he puts his arms down his side, they come half way down his thighs."

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Rags to riches Dave

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HE once earned $12 an hour packing shelves at Woolworths. Today, David Warner is the exemplar of rags-to-riches success, emerging from a housing commission estate to become Australian cricket's $5 million man.

Away from the public glare of life in the baggy green, Warner has been privately cultivating enough wealth to reward parents Howard and Lorraine with early retirement.

Welcome to Warner Inc, the investment and real-estate portfolio the Test opener is amassing in his journey from blue-collar battler to self-made millionaire.

Warner may have earned infamy for punching English rival Joe Root in a Birmingham bar in June, but he is nobody's fool.

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Behind the scenes he is financially savvy, funnelling the millions he makes from cricket into property deals that ensure he will never experience the scrap for every dollar that defined his childhood.

For the past 26 years Warner's parents Howard and Lorraine lived a simple existence in Matraville.

Their lessons for sons Steve and David have spawned true reward. To work hard. To stay grounded. To appreciate the hard road, the grind, and where it can take you.

For all his millions, Warner has not severed his working-class roots. A day after playing a key role in Australia's first-Test hammering of England, where he thumped 49 and 124, he was back at Matraville RSL enjoying a quiet beer with his old man.

"People don't see the real side to Dave," Warner Sr says.

David Warner's father, Howard, happy after his son reaches 100 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Source: News Corp Australia

"David has come a long way. I remember he was packing shelves at Woolies. He used to finish shifts at midnight and I would pick him up. He was only 15. He used to keep asking for pocket money and we just didn't have any money, so he got his own job.

"He grew up with very little. When you grow up hard you appreciate it more than if you have money all your life.

"If you are filthy rich you don't bloody appreciate anything. David has toiled on his own. We never thought he could earn such big dollars but he is working his guts out and it is paying dividends now."

Warner's gift to Howard, 60, and Lorraine, 57, is that they will never have to work again.

"We have always been battlers, it's been a struggle at times," says Howard, a hardware salesman.

"He's looked after us, he's a bloody good boy. I'm so proud of him. To be honest, Dave has got us out of debt. We weren't in huge debt but we had credit cards and he's paid them all off for us."

David Warner (third from the right, front row) when playing for his school team many years ago. Source: News Corp Australia

The combative opener has several income streams. One of the nation's top-five ranked players, he pockets around $2 million annually from his Cricket Australia deal. There are sponsorships with Gray-Nicolls, Asics, All Day Socks and ANZ Stadium. Throw in an Indian Premier League contracts worth almost $2 million and Warner is one of Australia's richest athletes.

His manager, Tony Connolly, is currently in the marketplace looking to build on the Warner empire. But the 27-year-old's focus remains cricket and he has enlisted professional help to monitor his business interests.

"He's got a full-time financial adviser that takes care of his portfolio," Connolly said.

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"You can easily underestimate Dave but he is very street-smart and very savvy off the field. He is doing the right thing with his money and setting up his financial security.

"What he does in the next 10 years will set him up for the rest of his life. He can make a lot of money and never have to work again.

"The great thing is Dave is unaffected by it all. He hasn't forgotten his roots, he is still the same kid who grew up in Matraville."

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Lehmann wants more aggression

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NATIONAL coach Darren Lehmann has backed Michael Clarke to go for the jugular, despite former England captain Nasser Hussain accusing Australia of bully-boy tactics.

Australia's first Test thumping had a dramatic postscript on Monday when Clarke was charged by the International Cricket Council for sledging England paceman James Anderson.

Clarke will be fined 20 per cent of his match fee, around $3000, after stump microphones picked up the skipper telling Anderson Australia's quicks would "break his f***ing arm".

Relations between cricket's oldest enemies became strained on Saturday when David Warner fired the first salvo, claiming a "weak" Jonathan Trott personified a "scary-eyed" England side.

Hussain slammed the behaviour of an Australian side that is developing a harder edge under Lehmann, who ascended to the national coaching post in June.

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Speaking before Clarke was formally charged, Lehmann wanted Australia to maintain the rage - and his skipper's ICC reprimand won't alter plans to intimidate Alastair Cook's troops.

"I like them playing hard cricket," said Lehmann, who labelled the old enemy's cricket "dour" during the recently-completed Ashes in England.

"I like our boys being aggressive without crossing the line. It will be always hard-fought between Australia and England. It certainly was in England and has been over the years.

"The ICC deals with everything else . . . and if any player crosses the line they will deal with it."

Hussain, who captained England in 45 Tests from 1999-2003, is no stranger to Australia's aggressive style. He led the Poms during Australia's golden age but accused Clarke of picking an easy target by sledging Anderson.

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"They didn't need to dance on their grave," Hussain said in his English newspaper column.

"I wasn't too impressed with the niggle at the end of the game. I think that was a bit of Aussie frustration spilling over after the difficult time they've had - not just losing 3-0 in England, where they probably deserved better, but the mockery they received on that tour of India (in March).

"I thought Australia emerged from their defeat in the summer with a lot of dignity. But they have to keep that dignity intact when they win.

"I totally agree that if you dish it out, you should expect to take it back.

"But when the No. 11 is in and you're about to win by almost 400 runs, just knock him over, shake his hand and say: 'We did you there'."

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"I didn't like some of the disrespect that was shown to England - like David Warner suggesting Jonathan Trott was scared.

"Pull the other one."

In-form Australian quick Mitchell Johnson warned England to expect more fireworks as the series progressed.

"There's a fair bit of tension there," he said.

"I think that's definitely going to continue through the series, you're going to see a bit more of it.

"We're going to play on our skill, and hopefully we can beat them.

"I love getting in a bit of a scrap, and so do a few of their boys. If you can keep your emotions in check and just keep playing my game and it comes off, then it's good."

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Harris should skip Adelaide: Hughes

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FORMER Test skipper Kim Hughes says Ryan Harris must be rested for the second Test in Adelaide - or risk a breakdown that could derail Australia's hopes of reclaiming the Ashes.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says Harris is unlikely to be sidelined for the return bout, starting December 5, if the veteran paceman pulls-up well from their thumping Gabba triumph.

But Hughes is concerned Harris' battle-weary frame could be vulnerable to another injury if he is forced to complete back-to-back showdowns with England in Adelaide and Perth.

Should the second Test last the full five days, Harris would have just four days to prepare for the third Test starting Friday, December 13 at the WACA.

There are major concerns over whether Harris, at age 34, can withstand the rigours of a five-Test series and Hughes believes the veteran quick must be wrapped in cotton wool.

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"I think resting Ryan for Adelaide should be a real possibility," Hughes said. "The issue for the Australian selectors is who do they bowl in Adelaide?

"Based on the history of the wicket, it will be five days of slog for the quicks and you need the bowlers to be fresh for Perth."

The Test in Adelaide is scheduled to finish on a Monday and they start Friday in Perth ... that short break leaves our fast bowlers facing the possibility of breaking down.

"I hope Michael Clarke doesn't bowl the guys into the ground because there is every chance there will be a result in Perth and not Adelaide.

"I think we have to be careful with Harris. The last thing we want is bowling him into the ground in Adelaide and then he can't bounce back for Perth.

"Hughes points to the recent Sheffield Shield clash in Adelaide, with South Australia and Western Australia hammering 1237 runs collectively for the loss of just 23 wickets

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.Harris bowled 34 overs across two innings in Australia's first-Test win at the Gabba, but faces a more onerous workload if England's top-order fire on a batter-friendly Adelaide deck.

"If the wicket is anything like the Shield game, maybe we should give James Faulkner a go," Hughes said.

"I spoke with Justin Langer (WA coach) and he said Adelaide did not deteroriate at all, he said you could have played there for 10 days.

"If there is no bounce, that's where someone like Faulkner should come in.

"Adelaide is traditionally a highway, so there's no point flogging someone like Harris into the ground when he is the ideal bowler in Perth."

Former Test quick Len Pascoe believes sidelining Harris would be a grave mistake.

"It's important we keep the momentum going with Harris," he said. "If he stops his workload, he will seize up, at 34 years of age you have to keep his rhythm.

"We saw that with Peter Siddle last year, they rested him when Siddle wanted to play. Then when he did come back he didn't have the form he had before they rested him.

"My gut feeling is you keep them going, the guys are playing for their country, Ryan Harris shouldn't have to face being rested."

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Young, Sydney Kings struggle

Sydney King import Sam Young drives to the basket but is blocked by Matt Knight of the Wildcats. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

SYDNEY'S new import and recent NBA swingman Sam Young got a hellish introduction to the NBL on Sunday as the Kings were crushed 98-55 by ladder leaders Perth.

Young, a 249-game NBA veteran, was the second-highest scorer for Sydney with 14 points, including 12 in the first half in Perth.

He made four of his 12 field-goal attempts and hitting two of five from three-point range.

Perth enjoyed a massive 44-24 rebounding advantage against a misfiring Kings outfit that shot a woeful 28 per cent from the field.

Perth (9-1) shot at a sizzling 55 per cent, with import James Ennis, one of five Wildcats with a double-digit score, leading the way with 18.

The Wildcats rebounded superbly after losing their unbeaten record in a 91-86 away loss to second-placed Adelaide (7-2) on Friday.

They slashed a 22-point deficit to three in the final minute of that game.

Shawn Redhage inspired the comeback, hitting 25 of his 30 points in the second half.

Centre Daniel Johnson scored 24 and guard Gary Ervin 22 for an Adelaide side that proved they are a legitimate title contender.

``We've played much better in other games,'' Adelaide coach Joey Wright told AAP.

``We gave up 19 offensive rebounds, we went 0 from nine from three-point range.''

The top two have pulled away from Sydney and Melbourne (both 4-4) after the Tigers crashed to a 90-75 home loss to Townsville (3-5) in Sunday's other game.

In-form Tigers guard Chris Goulding scored 25, but the Crocs were inspired by a remarkable Steve Markovic shot from halfway right on the three-quarter time buzzer.

Markovic finished with 15 and import Josh Pace 18 for the Crocs.

``That was as disappointing a loss or game as I can remember,'' said Melbourne coach Chris Anstey.

New Tigers import Mustapha Farrakhan scored six points, making just three of his 11 field-goal attempts.

Tom Abercrombie nailed five three-pointers in his game-high 24 for New Zealand (3-6) in their 81-74 home win over Townsville.

Wollongong import Rotnei Clarke completed a match-winning three-point play in his game-high 27 points to seal a 75-73 away win over Cairns.

It was the first time Cairns have suffered six straight losses under coach Aaron Fearne, with the Hawks joining the Taipans on 2-6.

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History favours Aussie Ashes

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GIFT wrap the Ashes and put them in the out tray.

History tells us that England's stranglehold on the little urn will soon be broken.

This country did not have television when Australia last won at the Gabba but failed to go on and win an Ashes series.

That was in 1954-55, when many of the players' parents would not have been born.

In more than 80 years of Test cricket at the Gabba only twice has a team won an Ashes Test there and failed to press home the advantage.

Almost 60 years ago Australia won the first Test but lost the series 3-1 and in 1936-37 Australia lost on a wet wicket before Don Bradman led the side to a 3-2 triumph.

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So yesterday's stirring first Test victory, with more than a day to spare, was particularly special.

Was this really the same side that had tumbled from battling South Africa for a place at the top of the Test table last season to sitting fifth behind basket case Pakistan going into this series?

It was also England's first loss in 14 Tests and just the second by Alastair Cook as captain during his 17 matches in charge.

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Australia had gone nine Tests without a victory, losing all four in India and going down 3-0 in England, with rain halting Australia's charge at Manchester and The Oval.

This was the most unsuccessful run since the nadir of the mid `80s, when Australia went 14 Tests in a row without a victory under Allan Border after the team was gutted by South Africa rebel tours.

Most significantly Australia has lost three Ashes series in a row. It has not lost four series in succession to England since 1890.

Another Ashes failure this summer and the consequences would have been dire for all concerned.

The last Ashes loss in Australia three years ago had massive ramifications which are still being felt with the ongoing implementation of the sweeping Argus report.

Alastair Cook watches on as Australia celebrate their win. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Coach Tim Nielsen and the selectors resigned before they were sacked, support staff have been changed and more than half the Cricket Australia board have gone in a major revamp of overdue professionalism.

That Australia has recovered from the turmoil of a terrible year to stage such a revival is remarkable.

During that worst sequence of Tests for 27 years Australia also had the infamous homeworkgate furore in India when four players were suspended for not doing their homework.

Saturday's century-maker David Warner was suspended for punching Joe Root in a Birmingham bar during the Champions Trophy and Nielsen's replacement, Mickey Arthur, was sacked as coach just 18 days before the first Test at Trent Bridge.

This is the side that lost 9-117 at Trent Bridge, was bowled out for 128 at Lord's and collapsed during a run chase at Durham to lose 9-77.

Now it is in an overwhelming position, making England look second rate.

Questions remain about Australia's batting. It could easily have another calamitous Test.

But the long and proud history of Ashes cricket in Australia says it will finish in front at the end of the series.

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MJ has Poms paralysed with fear

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AUSTRALIA believe Mitchell Johnson has England's batsmen paralysed by fear after he surpassed pace great Merv Hughes with a nine-wicket hatchet job at the Gabba.

Johnson claimed man-of-the-match honours with a haul of 9-103, including a second-innings five-wicket blitz that saw him overtake Hughes on Australia's all-time wicket-taking list.

Big Merv was ranked 11th with 212 wickets at 28.38 but Johnson finished the first Test demolition with 214 and is set to leapfrog Clarrie Grimmett (216) into Australia's top 10.

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That feat perhaps best crystallises the resurgence of Johnson, who could surge past 300 Test scalps if he maintains the rampaging form that terrorised England's top order.

It was Johnson's first-innings dismissal of Jonathan Trott that set the tone for this Test and the Australians are adamant his 145km/h thunderbolts have the Poms spooked.

"The way Mitch bowled ... you can see it in their eyes that they weren't quite comfortable facing him so it was good fun," wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said.

Mitchell Johnson celebrates taking Graeme Swann's wicket. Picture: Cameron Spencer. Source: Getty Images

Johnson will never be Australia's Mr Consistent but he possesses a quality few contemporaries share in world cricket _ the ability to bowl terrifying express pace.

And it was fitting he should celebrate his renaissance at the Gabba. It was in Brisbane some 15 years ago that Johnson was a raw quick from Townsville who arrived in town to be mentored by Australian pace icon Dennis Lillee.

Fittingly, at his nadir last year, it was Lillee who helped rebuild Johnson and refine the action that saw him describe the left-armer as a once-in-a-generation quick.

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"I have to give a big thanks to Dennis. I have been able to keep in touch with him since he saw me when I was 17 when I first came to Brisbane for a fast bowling clinic here," he said.

"To have a legend of the game in my corner and to be able to talk to about cricket things is an amazing thing."

Asked last night if he saw fear in the English batsmen's eyes, Johnson smiled and baulked at adding fuel to the inferno created by David Warner.

But he promised one thing _ he would continue his bumper war in the second Test in Adelaide.

"I'll keep doing it. It's working," he said.

Of Trott, Johnson added: "He's been thinking about the short ball from what I have seen in the nets ... practising the short ones.

"There were a couple of nice ones zinging past his nose and as a fast bowler you give him a stare and look at his eyes and there might have been a bit of fear there."

England skipper Alastair Cook admitted the tourists struggled to handle Johnson's lively spells.

"We are going to go and look at how we will play him," he said.

"We have to be very honest with ourselves and how we are going to play him. You can't brush the issue. He has hurt us in this game and we are going to have to show our ability in the next game."

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Buzz: An open letter to the IRL

Sam Burgess is tackled by New Zealand's Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Bryson Goodwin and Simon Mannering. Source: GLYN KIRK / AFP

THIS is an open letter to the board of the International Rugby League.

Gentlemen, congratulations on staging one of the greatest internationals in the history of the game on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium

I enjoyed the England-Kiwis match as much as any State of Origin game or any grand final.

It was an absolutely magnificent showpiece of skill, sweeping ball movement, intensity, courage and excitement.

The try Panthers centre Dean Whare set up for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was as spectacular and as stunning as anything you will ever see.

Shaun Johnson celebrates his winning try with team mates. Source: Getty Images

We will be watching it on YouTube and talking about it for years.

Sam Burgess turned in one of the greatest front-row performances from an English forward in international football.

Sonny Bill Williams was just Sonny Bill Williams - simply sensational.

James Graham and Gareth Widdup showed why they are both regarded as world class players.

JOIN BUZZ AS HE BLOGS FROM 10AM

Shaun Johnson showed why he is the game's next boom halfback with the awareness, the step, the acceleration and the speed to score the last try and then calmly convert.

Compare this to the penalty goal shootouts we so often see rugby union Tests. Or nil-all draws in soccer internationals.

You guys should put this game be on a DVD and show it to the world as there could be no better advertisement for the game of rugby league.

New Zealand rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams gets the ice ready after a bruising win over England. Source: Supplied

People who have never watched the game will immediately become fans.

As for the second game guys, the Kangaroos against Fiji, I can't comment because I refuse to sit up in the wee small hours to watch any sport when you already know the result.

Australia has now won its last four games by a combined score of 210-2. It's just embarrassing.

The purpose of this letter is to point out ways to improve the game at an international level without subjecting hapless, outclassed opponents to meaningless floggings.

Andrew Fifita of Australia bursts through to score a try against Fiji. Source: Getty Images

A World Cup should be all about the high quality and standard of the Poms v Kiwis blockbuster.

Instead of exposing the minnows every four years, they need your full time funding, attention and support.

Has an NRL side ever toured Fiji, Tonga or Samoa?

Surely you could stage NRL pre-season trial games in the Pacific Islands, just like we do in Tamworth, Wagga and Coff Harbour.

If we are to stage a Manly v Canberra NRL game in China next year, why not in a developing rugby league country?

Clubs too should be encouraged to bring more Fijian players into the NRL competition.

Give salary cap discounts or exemptions to clubs that sign players from Fiji.

Fiji's Kevin Naiqama reacts at the final whistle after his team was beaten 64-0. Source: AFP

The only reason England and the Kiwis are so competitive now is because their players are hardened by the weekly demands and professionalism of NRL football.

In the meantime stage your World Cup every four years but restrict it to the best of the best.

Eventually, if you guys can get the development right over the next decade, we'll have more competitive countries and more magnificent games like England v New Zealand.

Maybe even a Four Nations tournament with a competitive Fiji, not a side that gets belted by 60. That should be your aim.

Regards, Buzz.

HIGHLIGHT I

The Ashes annihilation of England at the Gabba with our oldest and most experienced players leading the way - Brad Haddin, 36, Mitchell Johnson, 32, and Michael Clarke, 32.

HIGHLIGHT II

The last five minutes of the Sydney FC v Wellington game at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night was absolutely brilliant edge-of-your-seat sport.

HIGHLIGHT III

The Kiwis-Poms semi-final was the best rugby league international I've seen in more than 10 years.

LOWLIGHT

The English commentators at the rugby league World Cup. They were disgracefully biased.

LOWLIGHT II

The Kangaroos have now won their last four games at the World Cup with a combined score line of 210 points to two. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

ZIP IT DAVE

Dave Warner's insulting comments about the English batsmen at his Saturday evening press conference were unnecessary during the first game in a five-match series.

Save it until after the series when it can't be used as motivation.

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Victory sweep Reds in thriller

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AFTER two successive defeats Melbourne Victory secured a much-needed 3-0 win over Adelaide United on Saturday night in yet another drama-packed clash between the pair.

Victory overcame a first half Adrian Leijer red card to secure its third win of the season via Kosta Barbarouses, Archie Thompson and Mitch Nichols goals and importantly stay in touch with the top two.

Barbarouses and Mark Milligan, who both returned from international duty, were instrumental in the win in front of 20,064 at Etihad Stadium.

While Victory created a bundle of chances it could have been a different story had Nathan Coe not blocked Cirio's 67th minute penalty when it was still 1-0.

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The save inspired Victory, who went down the other end and doubled its lead within a minute when Leigh Broxham pick-pocketed Adelaide's Michael Zullo and Barbarouses crossed for Nichols who glanced it to Thompson to finish.

Adelaide coach Josep Gombau then threw on Awer Mabil and Bruce Djite and sacrificed a defender, but the risk backfired as midfielder Isaias miss-timed his header allowing Nichols to pounce and beat the onrushing Eugene Galekovic to score into an empty net.

Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson in party mode.

Questions will now be asked of Adelaide, who've drawn two and lost four since the convincing Round 1 win at home to Perth Glory.

With former coach Ange Postecoglou watching from the stands, Victory opened the scoring on 14 minutes when James Troisi beat the offside trap and broke down the left before crossing for Barbarouses who was left with a simple tap in.

Steven Lustica, who came on after 13 minutes for Cassio (hamstring), had a golden chance to equalise when he was released by Cirio but his went narrowly wide.

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Thompson then had two chances to double Victory's lead, going just wide from Barbarouses' cross after a textbook move before having his volley swatted away by Reds keeper Galekovic.

Mitch Nichols then had a chance from three metres, albeit a tight angle, but sent his shot skywards.

The final minutes of the first half then descended into farce after Leijer was sent off for a second yellow card for bringing down Cirio and he couldn't have any complaints for that or the first when he cleaned up Marcelo Carrusca.

But a three-minute delay ensued as Victory tried to readjust _ sub Nick Ansell came on but with no-one coming off it appeared as though Victory would again have 11 players.

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Referee Ben Williams sent him back and he returned, coming on for Troisi but earning a yellow card for his premature entrance.

Despite the circumstances Troisi meanwhile didn't take kindly to being withdrawn in the first half and was headed straight for the tunnel before Kevin Muscat instructed him to return to the bench.

The fourth official was having a nightmare, inserting the wrong digits into his board for Adelaide's double second half sub.

And Williams' decision to award a penalty to Adelaide after Jeronimo fell would've been brought into sharper focus had Cirio converted, as Pablo Contreras appeared to make little or no contact.

But Muscat breathed a sigh of relief and recorded his second win since replacing Postecoglou.

Victory midfielder James Troisi rescued Victory's bacon last time the teams met, in what was a pulsating contest.

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Clarke teaches Cook a lesson

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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