June 02, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 27, 1429

NORTH SOUND, June 1: An emotional Michael Clarke wiped his brow and looked to the heavens after completing his century against West Indies on Saturday — and there was no doubt who was on his mind as he took the applause.

Clarke missed the first Test win in Kingston last week because he was on compassionate leave to attend the funeral of his fiance Lara Bingle’s father Graham.

“It’s obviously a very emotional, very special hundred for me because of what’s happened over the past month for me back at home,” Clarke told reporters.

“I know all of my family and all of Lara’s family wanted me to come over here and play and be a part of playing my first Test tour in the West Indies.

“Its hard being away from Lara and her family but today was obviously very special to make a century knowing that my to-be father-in-law would certainly have been proud of me.”

The Australia vice-captain had not played cricket in over two months, during which time he got engaged, then supported his fiancee and her family as they coped with Graham Bingle’s battle against cancer.

“It was everything: a celebration as well, I’m so excited to score another Test hundred, my first one in the Caribbean, my first one as vice-captain for Australia, and to have 470 runs on the board in the first innings,” Clarke said.

“Obviously there were a lot of emotions there. But a big part of it for me personally was to do it for him,” he said.—Reuters