Should Michael Clarke Be Australia's Next Test Captain?

[kirby]

This is an issue that has been bandied around a fair bit lately considering the claims from certain parts of the media that Clarke dumped fiancee Lara Bingle to ensure his chances of being the next Test captain.

There's no doubt that Clarke has been groomed for the job, but I ask is Clarke the next best man for the job?

kirby added 3 Minutes and 11 Seconds later...

I'm going to say no. No matter what natural ability he has as a captain, he hasn't had the chance to test his skills at first class level. Captaincy in Twenty20 cricket is not transferable to Test cricket.

I think there are also two much better options in Australian cricket at the moment for the top job: Cameron White and Simon Katich. White should be in the Test side, and has recently captained Victoria to consecutive Sheffield Shields. Katich, before his recall to the Test side, did the same for NSW 3 years ago.

 

[rocky_g]

How about Shane Watson? I know some people hate him. But he is a fighter. One disadvantage he has over the others is that he is very injury prone.

But i don't think Australian selectors will look beyond Michael Clarke.

 

[Num]

There aren't too many other youngish players in the Test team pushing for captaincy at the moment. It depends who has a stable position in the team when Ponting decides to retire, as we could see someone like Cameron White in the Test team by that time, in which case he would be my choice. I think Clarke will still be a decent captain though. I'd imagine Katich will be retiring around the same time as Ponting, so unfortunately I don't see him getting the captaincy.

 

[sifter132]

Katich would be good. But I think he's gonna retire before Ricky does. And it's a bit hard to name Whitey since he hasn't cracked the Test squad permanently yet.

I'm still undecided, but I'll vote yes, with a probably attached to it. Australia's done a very good job of appointing captains recently, so the mere fact that Pup is the anointed one is a great sign for him. Second, I like his on field work as seen in the T20s. First time out he was too keen to tinker with fields and plans, but this year I was quite happy with the balance he struck between original plans and adjustments. Plus the plans themselves were good.

My main concern is in the dressing room. At the moment I get the impression Ricky is viewed as a bit of an inspirational figure in the dressing room, given his tough attitude, his great achievements as a player and the way he works his butt off in preparation for matches. I don't think Pup can quite live up to that, and it's a question of whether the players really care about that or whether it will be a non-issue.

Clarke's great with media and with enthusiasm and tactics, but does he have the total support of the others? And can he get them up for games without relying on emotion too much? As an aside, it's my theory that coaches/captains who try to pump up players constantly for their best performance are more prone to failures. Surely players can't hype themselves for EVERY match.

One thing that will help Clarke a lot is if he keeps pumping out big scores. It's easy to respect a guy who is an awesome player. And it's also easy to respect a guy who dumps a chick as hot as Lara to concentrate on cricket.

 

[TumTum]

White will NEVER be in the Test side. Nope never, mark my words.

Katich is too old, period.

Clarkey it is.

 

[rocky_g]

White will NEVER be in the Test side. Nope never, mark my words.

Katich is too old, period.

Clarkey it is.

People said the same thing about Watson.

 

[TumTum]

People said the same thing about Watson.

Not exactly. Watson was seen as the next big thing for Australia, because of his technique. I just didn't think he was an opener.

White on the other hand has a technique which can make you puke. Hughes' also has an unorthodox technique, but in a good way.

 

[kirby]

Katich would be good. But I think he's gonna retire before Ricky does. And it's a bit hard to name Whitey since he hasn't cracked the Test squad permanently yet.

White may have cracked the Test side by the time Ponting retires.

My main concern is in the dressing room. At the moment I get the impression Ricky is viewed as a bit of an inspirational figure in the dressing room, given his tough attitude, his great achievements as a player and the way he works his butt off in preparation for matches. I don't think Pup can quite live up to that, and it's a question of whether the players really care about that or whether it will be a non-issue.

Unfortunately, that's the only dimension to Ponting's captaincy.

Clarke may end up being a great captain, but, as you've said, he's not as great a role model as he could be. I also don't think he's ever captained a side in a genuine four-day first-class match, which is a big item in the "CONS" column for me.

 

[irottev]

Watson being suggested is absurd.

This says it all: YouTube - Shane Watson Ridiculous Celebration

 

[drainpipe32]

Cam White's the best captain in Australia for sure, but I doubt the selectors have enough respect for him to pick him over Clarke. Never thought of Watson, he's go alright. A bit of a smokey but Mitchell Johnson? I reckon a lot of people forget him because he's a bowler. Haddin's probably too old.

I reckon Phillip Hughes will have it in about 10 years.

 

[kirby]

Cam White's the best captain in Australia for sure, but I doubt the selectors have enough respect for him to pick him over Clarke.

The selectors should have respect for him. I think the unfortunate thing for White is that he's been bracketed as a leg-spinning all-rounder, but he hardly ever bowls anymore. The selectors then notice that he doesn't take wickets, so they ignore him for the Test side. He's good enough to play as a batsman, though.

A bit of a smokey but Mitchell Johnson? I reckon a lot of people forget him because he's a bowler.

Johnson has no brains.

 

[aussie1st]

Don't know if hes got that inspiration about him but tactically hes better than Ponting. Who knows though maybe once he steps up as full time captain that will come. There really is no one else atm, unless White makes the Test side which doesn't seem likely given Steven Smith was picked ahead of him.

 

[Robelinda]

Ponting had no first class experience either, regardless of what people might say about him he's a good captain.

Clarke for sure, unless Punter hangs around too long and Clarke becomes too old, by then maybe Hughes might be in with a chance, or maybe a complete outsider who hasnt made the team yet like White.

 

[kirby]

Don't know if hes got that inspiration about him but tactically hes better than Ponting.

A rock is tactically better than Ponting, so that's not so great a compliment.

I still reckon Katich should get the job if Ponting retires soon.

 

[angryangy]

Watson being suggested is absurd.

This says it all: YouTube - Shane Watson Ridiculous Celebration