MICHAEL Clarke was not totally satisfied despite his starring role in Hampshire Hawks' opening day win against Warwickshire in the Totesport National League Division One.

After being the only batsman from either side to really take control at the crease on an Edgbaston pitch offering plenty of movement for the bowlers, Clarke, pictured above with Warne and his Hampshire team mates, insisted the aim had been to make a hundred.

He said: "It was a great experience, a good opportunity and I did OK. I'm pretty happy.

"It seamed a bit early, but I stayed positive and tried to back my own ability and play the way I have been playing. Luckily enough, I made a few runs.

"I was pretty happy with the way it went and the guys I batted with did a great job.

"English cricket is definitely different and the wickets are different, but it's been a great start. I haven't made a hundred yet and I'm looking to do that in the next couple of games.

"I think any time you get past 50 you are looking to make a hundred and it is a little disappointing I haven't made one yet.

"But there are a lot of games to go in the season and, fingers crossed, hopefully I will make a couple."

Clarke's knock of 68 from just 83 balls came in his first-ever match at Edgbaston and he admits there has been a slight learning process of playing in English conditions.

But the hugely talented 23-year-old Aussie stressed it was important to keep approaching his batting positively.

"The wickets are just a lot slower," he said.

"The wicket had a bit more grass on it than you would normally expect in Australia, it seamed a little bit more, but the main difference is just the pace of the wicket.

"I try and be as positive as I can. That's the way I play and it doesn't matter what the wicket is like.

"Although obviously there are times when you have to understand it is doing a bit and you need to tough it out."

Clarke scored freely around all areas of the wicket, but was quick to praise the contribution of his teammates, particularly Shaun Udal's electrifying late cameo of 30 from only nine balls.

He added: "We needed that at the end. If we hadn't got that it might have been a little bit closer.

"It was a brilliant game and a great win. They got a little bit closer than we expected at the death, but we have been playing fantastic cricket.

"We played a great four-day game against Durham and we have done the business again. The bowlers and the batters did well - more than 210 was a good score on that wicket."