Clarke puts victory ahead of final knock

Michael Clarke has put victory before personal vindication. On Saturday, for the first time in his career as a captain at Test or state level, Clarke enforced the follow on.

In doing so the retiring skipper almost certainly denied himself – and possibly Chris Rogers too – one final Test innings.

But Clarke's modus operandi as a captain has always been simple: victory before all else.

Australia's 43rd Test skipper has typically been reluctant when it comes to enforcing the follow-on – whether it be to protect his tiring bowlers or inflict more psychological damage.

Clarke has had four previous chances to send his opposition back in after rolling them – and declined on each occasion.

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Against India at Adelaide in 2011, Australia led by 332. Two years later, at the same venue, they held a 398-run first innings lead over England.

In Cape Town, South Africa trailed by 207 runs when Clarke declined the option, while three Tests ago Australia held a 254-run advantage at Lord's.

Clarke's career retrospective with Nine (restrictions apply)

Crucially, on all four occasions, Clarke's decision-making proved correct, with Australia pocketing four wins.

But with the weather forecast predicting rain and gloom, Clarke uttered the words which hadn't left his mouth as the man in charge: "We'll send them back in".

As soon as Mitchell Johnson coaxed an edge behind from Moeen Ali, bringing England's first innings to a close for a meek 149, Clarke gathered his men together in the middle of The Oval.

Replay: All of England's first-innings wicket (restrictions apply)

Clarke called his bowlers to ask whether they were ready to go again.

And after a 10 minute change of innings, they responded in kind.

"It was a big opportunity to win the Test match and really stamp our authority in this match," recalled paceman Peter Siddle said.

"We were pretty keen to get back out there.

"Once we said "yes", we were ready to have a go (and) he put it up to us.

"I think it's a credit to us to dig in and apply ourselves."

Siddle and Mitch Marsh removed Adam Lyth and Ian Bell without too much fuss, before Mitchell Johnson claimed the major scalp of Joe Root, to leave England struggling at 3-99.

Nathan Lyon chipped in with two wickets in four balls, and the follow-on decision had been truly vindicated.

Watch: Smith leggies sink captain Cook (restrictions apply)

A piece of creative captaincy followed, with Clarke thrusting the loose leg spin of Steve Smith into the fray in the twilight of the day's play – and managed to dislodge Alastair Cook.

Even if he doesn't get to don the pads and wield the willow one last time, Clarke – who also took three catches on Saturday – stayed true to his aggressive captaincy mantra.

"Six wickets at the end of the day ... it turned out to be a pretty good one for us," Siddle said.

Watch: Siddle speaks after day three at The Oval