Clarke shocked at victory
Match-winner did not give his side any hope of winning
Last updated: 14th January 2008
Clarke: Took three wickets in five balls to seal victory.
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Australian hero Michael Clarke has admitted he did not think his side had a chance of winning when he was brought into the bowling attack against India in the second Test in Sydney.
However three wickets in the space of five balls saw India clinch a record-equalling 16th successive Test victory - with just nine minutes of play left.
With India on 210-7, Clarke removed Harbhajan Singh and RP Singh in successive deliveries, before dismissing Ishant Sharma three balls later.
And although Clarke had been pestering captain Ricky Ponting for the chance to bowl all day, even he was surprised at the outcome.
He said: "I had been asking Punter (Ponting) for a bowl all day and he finally gave me the ball and obviously again, a lot of luck but I am certainly taking it.
"Honestly, I thought there was not a chance in hell of winning and I think that is why Punter threw me the ball.
"There was obviously enough rough (footmarks) there and I thought India did really well to fight out and last as long as they did.
"I think that is the one thing that I have learnt about cricket is how quickly things can change whether for the better or for the worse and I think today is a perfect example.
Opportunity
"I have made no runs and dropped a catch. I fortunately held onto a couple (of catches) and got some wickets at the end.
"When your opportunity comes, you just have to make the most of it."
Ponting had seemed to have paid the price for delaying the declaration until Australia had reached 401-7 as India dug in.
However, he lived up to his Punter nickname by taking a gamble that paid off.
Ponting said: "The last 30 or 40 minutes of the day's play was about gambling, about rolling the dice.
"I tried most guys there in that last hour and a half. I had to do that at that time just to see who the batsmen would find the hardest to play at that time.
"It looked like the faster bowlers were easier to play than the spinners.
Confidence
"He (Clarke) actually said to me when I gave him the ball, 'I think I've got about just enough time to win us the game here'. He's always had a fair bit of confidence in himself."
However while Australia were celebrating, India captain Anil Kumble accused the home side of going against the spirit of the game.
Two crucial decisions went against India on the final day, with Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly both controversially dismissed - while Andrew Symonds refusal to walk when he edged a ball in the first innings clearly still upsets the tourists.
And Kumble said: "Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game.
"We like to play hard on the field and we expect that from Australia as well.
"I've played my cricket very sincerely and very honestly and that's the approach my team takes on the field and I expect that from the Australians as well.
"We had decided that we will be honest and when a catch is taken the player says he's taken it, the captain nods his head and the umpire gives him out."
