Perth, Jan 9: Former Australian spinner Ashley Mallett feels Michael Clarke is the best cricket captain the team has had since Mark Taylor as he makes things happen instead of relying on luck.
 Clarke led his team to a 2-0 lead against India in the on-going Test series and himself scored a fantastic triple ton in the Sydney Test.
 "I think his captaincy has been fantastic. To me he's the best captain we've had since Mark Taylor because he's proactive. He tries to make things happen and his field placings are great.
 "And it's not just luck that things are happening because he's making things happen. His changes have been good," Mallett said.
 The former spinner like Ian Chappell feels that Clarke's batting has got better with the added responsibility of leading the side.
 "And as a batsman, since he took over the captaincy, he's probably batting better than he ever has," Mallett was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.
 Mallett, who worked briefly with Clarke at the Cricket Academy, also felt that the captain should bowl.
 Clarke had dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in the Sydney Test, depriving the Indian batting great from getting to his historic 100th international century.
 "He was always a bit of a natural bowler but obviously his first love was batting and he looked at his bowling as something he did occasionally. I don't think he's ever really worked at it.
 "Still, he got that 6-9 on that minefield in India (at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2004). And he got those wickets (three for five) against India in Sydney to win the game (in 2008)," Mallett reckoned.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST