Michael Clarke is first to score four test double centuries in a year

Australian skipper Michael Clarke has become the first batsman in Test history to score four double centuries in a year in their second Test against South Africa in Adelaide, even as he led Australia to a high score of 475 for 4. It was Clarke’s 21st Test hundred and his fifth at Adelaide.

This, while Michael Hussey scored his second hundred of the tour to guide Australia to 455-4 With around 20 minutes still left to play on day one.

Earlier in the day, Warner raced to his third Test hundred with a six and a four off consecutive deliveries by Imran Tahir.Clarke, who walked in after just 13 overs, gave Warner company to score at a brisk pace. After a glittering 329 in the first Test, Clarke soon reached his fifty, while scoring at a strike-rate of 90 plus.

After Warner’s exit, the Aussie skipper led the charge to steam his way to another hundred from 119 balls.

Clarke, in white-hot form following an unbeaten 259 in the drawn first test in Brisbane, barely lost step as he combined with Hussey after tea.

The 31-year-old skipper brought up his first hundred with a cut to the backward point boundary off Tahir, having survived an appeal for caught behind when on 73 off the bowling of paceman Rory Kleinveldt that umpire Billy Bowden gave not out. South Africa referred the decision but it was turned down after a video review, the second declined for the innings, leaving the visitors with no more referrals.

As shadows crept across the ground, Clarke began a renewed assault before stumps and charged to 198 with a slogged drive over extra cover. He flicked a single off his pads to bring up his 200th run and spark a standing ovation from a roaring crowd.

Clarke punched the air and kissed the badge on his helmet as he celebrated becoming the first batsman to surpass 200 four times in a calendar year. The crowd was back on their feet one ball later as 37-year-old Hussey slogged over midwicket for six to bring up his 17th test century and second in succession after scoring 100 in Brisbane.