MICHAEL CLARKE is certain to keep his place in Australia's side after the second Test against India - because veteran Darren Lehmann has offered to make way for the Hampshire batsman.
Captain Ricky Ponting is due back for next week's third Test so someone has to drop out of Australia's top six - and Lehmann wants to make sure Clarke keeps his place.
Clarke, 23, became the new darling of Australian sport when he scored 151 in the series opener in Bangalore, prompting 35-year-old Lehmann, who has an average of 49.37 from 21 Tests, to volunteer his position.
Lehmann, speaking ahead of tomorrow's second Test in Chennai, said: "If I was a selector, I'd think that Michael Clarke should play every Test for the next 10 or 12 years and, if it's me that has to go, that's fine.
"It might be the case that I stand down, I haven't ruled that out.
"That's something I'll think about and talk about after this Test but, if a guy plays a genius innings like that in the first knock of his first Test and is earmarked by all of us to play well, you have to let him in.
"I've always said I would not stand in the road of a young player but it's not a generous decision at all.
"Sometimes, you just have to make the decision for the selectors, because it's a lot harder for them to make."
Clarke had an indifferent season with Hampshire but became the county's first batsman to hit three successive first class centuries since Gordon Greenidge in 1986 when he followed up twin tons against Notts with a brilliant 109 against Glamorgan in July.
Now he is certain to return to England next year - as a member of Australia's Ashes squad. Lehmann added: "We always knew he was special - he was held back for a year or so to make sure he was ready but he works hard and respects the game more than any youngster I've seen for a long time.
"The thing that wins me over is the way he is as a person. He's just very good young man, loves playing cricket and loves being around us old blokes, learning from us. He's always asking questions, he just laps it up and away he goes."
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