Clarke unbeaten on 161 on rain-affected second day against Proteas
Australia skipper racks up milestone for 10th time in his test career
Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 161 – one of the more heroic of his 27 test hundreds – as Australia reached 494 for seven before rain brought an early end to the second day of the series-deciding third cricket test against South Africa on Sunday.
Clarke reached 150 for the 10th time in his test career and in doing so moved past three Englishman on the all-time run scorers list – Geoffrey Boycott, Kevin Pietersen and David Gower.
His innings was interrupted just past the midway point of the afternoon session by a downpour, together with high winds, which forced the players from the field at Newlands.
The Australian captain took a battering on day one from pace bowler Morne Morkel, who struck him a number of times, including a sickening blow to the back of the head.
Clarke showed admirable composure to tough it out on what was a flat wicket and having been unbeaten on 92 overnight, was able to bring up his hundred, though not before spending 24 balls stuck on 99.
He reached his century off 215 deliveries with 11 fours and Newlands is now the first ground outside of Australia where he has two tons to his name.