In the history of Test cricket, only 56 men have played 100 matches for their country. So it's one hell of a coincidence that the next two will reach that landmark as opposing captains in the middle of an Ashes series. Of those 56, only six are still regular Test players (I discount Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh) so it's even more of a statistical irregularity.
Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke have reached the ton by different routes and in very different frames of mind. As he has readily admitted, the England skipper is desperately short of runs, for only the second time in his international career, and his side have been roasted in the first two matches Down Under. On the other hand, the Aussie is revelling not only in those victories but also in his rediscovered form with the bat, thumping two centuries against an out-of-sorts Pom attack.
Clarke made his Test debut at Bangalore nine years ago, marking the occasion with 151 en route for an easy win against Ganguly's India. Indeed, his record against the Indians is pretty impressive, culminating in that unbeaten triple-century in 2012, a year in which he aggreagated almost 1,600 runs at an impressive average of 106! Like most Aussies, he has played more against England than any other individual opposition, but his average in Ashes Tests is 'only' 48, adrift of his record against South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Some describe him as a flat-track bully but, while he has a superior average on home pitches, that is the case with most top batsmen and Englishmen this winter will be loath to call Brisbane and Adelaide as flat tracks perfect for batting!
Since replacing Ricky Ponting as captain, 'Pup' has experienced mixed fortunes but his side is showing signs of coming together, even if his bowlers tend to be held together by sticky tape and, in Mitch Johnson's case, a mean moustache. It's been a rollercoaster few years for 'Chef', too. Inheriting the Test leadership mantle from Andrew Strauss, who called it a day after his 100th game, Cook has overseen a dip from the No.1 Test status. The creditable 3-0 Ashes success was achieved despite less-than-brilliant performances by most of his side and some embarrassingly negative tactics. The cracks in that once formidable machine have been widened still further in recent weeks despite most of the first-choice men being present and correct.
Nevertheless, Cook reaches the hundred cap mark still aged only 28 (just), almost four years eafrlier than his Aussies counterpart. He, too, opened his Test account with a century in India, the first of 25 so far, overtaken in Adelaide by Mr Clarke. Both men are approaching the 8,000 Test run landmark although Cook's runs have come at a slightly lower average (47.2 against Clarke's 52.6). On the other hand, it could be argued that an opening batsman has a harder job than someone in the 'comfort zone' of the middle order. A number four or five is more likely to end an innings with an asterisk against his score and so it proves when comparing these two great batsmen.
Cook has played more Tests at home than Clarke but, unusually, his batting average in England (barely 43) is inferior to his figures just about everywhere else. His brilliant performances Down Under in 2010-11 and India last year proved he can accumulate plenty of runs all over the world. The man from New South Wales also has 30 Test wickets to his name, including an amazing 6-9 to beat India in that first series in 2004. Clarke heads the list of catches and also the scoring rate but he is unlikely to smash any world records.
Sachin Tendulkar (remember him?) boasts more Test appearances, runs and centuries than anyone else but Alastair Cook has racked up his statistics in a mere eight and a half years. Look away now, Indian readers, but provided he stays injury-free, the posh Bedford School boy with the same birthday as Jesus has a genuine chance of matching the Little Master in at least one of those records. That may be a tall order but, while he may yet hand on the skipper's baton within a few years, I suspect Cook has the temperament and talent to keep going for many years to come. The only thing between him and cricket legend status may well be the lure of outside riches, boredom or the mental stress of press conferences and the year-round strain of a top sportsman's globe-trotting life.
Michael Clarke will keep his job for as long as Australia keep winning, and the next World Cup could also prove a watershed. That troublesome back could yet bring his career to a premature end but he seems determined to soldier on and regain the Ashes, something Ponting couldn't do.
In the mean time, let's enjoy another fierce clash between England and Australia, with their two determined captains. Whatever their respective run tallies in Perth, I offer my congratulations to both men for surviving 100 Tests, no mean achievement.
