Michael Clarke celebrated a year in charge of Australia with a 75-run victory over West Indies in the third and final Test, but insisted his team is far from the finished article. Since succeeding Ricky Ponting as skipper, Clarke has built an impressive record with nine wins, three draws and just two defeats in 14 Tests. “A lot more grey hairs, but I've really enjoyed it,” said Clarke, after Australia wrapped-up its Caribbean series 2-0. “I've been very lucky to have some other great leaders around me, wonderful support staff who have played a part in me having success. And the captain is only as good as his stock. “Come our next tour to England, the one-day series, we'll be looking to continue to play some really good cricket and keep Australain cricket in the right direction.” Top order runs remain Windies main weakness West Indies again showed it has developed an impressive team spirit and quality bowling attack but the lack of top-order runs cost it dearly. Openers Adrian Barath and Kraigg Brathwaite managed just one half-century between them in the three Tests while Darren Bravo made just one fifty and Kieran Powell's top score from four knocks was 40. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who passed 10,000 Test runs during the final Test, was the standout batsmen of the series. Chanderpaul scored three fifities and an unbeaten century from five innings and averaged 86.50, but his fellow-Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine could only manage one half-century. “The top six is where we should get the bulk of the runs,” said skipper Darren Sammy. “Shiv batted really well for us again but we didn't have consistent contributions from everyone there. We have youngsters at the top and like Shiv said, they're learning their skill at the international level. With more experience hopefully things could get better,” he said. The positives West Indies takes with it to England are its improvement in the field, its more focused approach to the game under coach Ottis Gibson and a bowling attack that has plenty of quality and options. Dominican spinner Shane Shillingford's ten wicket haul on his home ground at Windsor Park solidified his return after his suspension due to problems with his action. Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards didn't get much reward but should be effective in England but it is Kemar Roach who has developed into the best pace bowler West Indies have had for some time. Roach had 19 wickets in the three Tests, including his ten-wicket performance in Port of Spain, as he banished the memories of his difficult 2011. “Last year he had a tough year in Bangladesh, he broke down in tears but this year he has come back really, really strong,” said Sammy. “People might say well he bowled more overs than me, but he keeps asking me for the ball and that is the sort of attitude I really like to see. “When I thought he was tired, he said ‘No, I really want the ball' putting his hand up. His wickets show the hard work throughout this series.” Brathwaite, Baugh dropped Opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh were dropped from the West Indies cricket squad for the 11-match tour of England starting next week. Denesh Ramdin replaced Baugh, and Marlon Samuels was recalled after a three-week stint in the Indian Premier League, during which he missed the lost home Test series against Australia. The only new cap in the 15-man squad was Trinidad fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who took 24 wickets in the regional four-day championship in February and March.
