Captain courage Clarke survive a series of painful blows from Morkel on Saturday.

Captain courage Clarke praised for being hit man

The Australian skipper had to survive a series of painful blows from Morkel on Saturday.

Michael Clarke goes down after getting hit by a delivery from Morne Morkel.

CAPE TOWN - Australian skipper Michael Clarke was hailed as captain courage on Saturday after being hit five times by South African fast bowler Morne Morkel and twice requiring treatment in afiery third Test.

Clarke finished the first day of the deciding match at Newlands on 92 not out with his team in the ascendancy on 331-3.

But he had to survive a series of painful blows from Morkel, being struck on the left forearm and the shoulder while also being felled by a blow to the cheek before being hit on the gloves.

Late in the day he was struck on the right thumb when Morkel was bowling with the second new ball.

"He's got four, maybe five ice packs on him," said Australian spin bowling great Shane Warne, in South Africa as a spin bowling consultant.

"He could have tried to hit his way out of trouble but instead he went the other way and said, 'You can hit my body but you're not going to get me out'.

South African bowling coach Allan Donald also hailed Clarke's courage.

"Michael took a lot of blows for his team," said Donald.

AB de Villers, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis celebrating after the fall of David Warner's wicket during day 1 of the 3rd Test match between South Africa and Australia at Sahara Park Newlands.