As TBH has eluded your final sentence is simply wrong: 2012/13 - 2nd test v South Africa: at crease @ 3/55. Scored 230 (345) 2012/13 - 1st test vs South Africa: at crease @ 3/40. Scored 259 (582) 2012/13 - 2nd test v Sri Lanka: at crease @ 3/117. Scored 106 (251) 2011/12 - 4th test v India: at crease @ 3/84. Scored 210 (380) 2011/12 - 2nd test v India: at crease @ 3/37. Scored 329* (609) 2011/12 - 1st test v NZ: at crease @ 3/91. Scored 139 (265) 2011/12 - 1st test v South Africa: at crease @ 3/40. Scored 151 (266) 2009/10 - 3rd test v Pak: at crease @ 3/71. Scored 166 (429) Are you arguing that he is not capable of anchoring an innings or that he is not a three? If it's the latter than we already knew that. I'd have him in my side over Amla or De Villiers any day of the week, and that has nothing to do with the fact that he's Australian. Statistics don't lie and unlike many of his counterparts his runs have come against a wide range of opposition.
First off all clever let me point out some facts you have missed. First of all in the beginning of November. They Australian cricket season starts and the pitches is still spanking new and will be very good compared to when you have your shield final.
So against SA Australia should have never been at 3/55 or so on. Consider a 5 day test wicket like this, Little bit in the morning as it dry out batting becomes better and with the old ball the bowlers are cannon fodder. From the top of your head how many overs of the new ball did Clarke survive?
Have you considered the SA bowling attack when Kallis took 2 wickets and pulled up with a injury. Injury to Philander and Steyn trying to get rid of a niggle. THe first two tests on day 5 there were still even bounce that how good that wicket was. And that is why both test matches ended in a draw. Then at the Perth test Clarke came in at no. 6. The ball was still on the newish side. Clarke was gone Australia 6 - 45
Other factor is 1st test vs SA Cowan opening the batting scoring 136. He was playing the anchor role and as he went Hussey took over. That is why CLarke was at his best and free flowing. Scoring huge amounts of runs.
And I said nothing about Clarke being a anchor. I said Australia needs to find a stable no 3 so you can get the best out of CLarke. SA used Jacques Kallis at 3 with team instructions. Kallis was held back and the SA team batting were not as good when a guy like Amla took the no 3 spot. Suuddenly we saw a much better looking free flowing Kallis. There is no doubt that Clarke can score big and bat for long period of times. But he does it with a positive attitude free flowing and attacking. Use that. But letting him drop into his shell because of top order failing your are not getting the best out of him and the team is not performing.
Guys like AB de Villiers can come in play the way they play because of knowing there is someone set and anchoring the innings at the other side