Michael Clarke’s past and present coaches point to his enthusiasm, mentoring and confidence as evidence he’ll be fine if needed to become Australia’s next Test captain.

Clarke will take the reins for the first time in a Test on Boxing Day at the MCG if an injured elbow keeps skipper Ricky Ponting out of the first Test against Pakistan.

Ponting is undergoing treatment on the tendon damage he suffered when struck by a delivery from West Indies bowler Kemar Roach in Perth, and will be assessed at training on Wednesday.

Clarke has led Australia in 15 one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games, but does not captain NSW and has never skippered a side in a first-class match.

If Ponting did not play, Clarke would lead a relatively inexperienced Australian side, opposed to the seasoned teams Adam Gilchrist took charge of when Ponting last missed Test matches.

But former Australian coach John Buchanan and NSW coach Matthew Mott both believe Clarke, 28, has learned immeasurably from the greats he had played alongside and would be ready to take charge himself.

Buchanan said Clarke had displayed an assurance rarely seen in young players when he first represented his country, in a one-day game against England in 2003.

“I remember when Michael made his one-day debut in Adelaide and a couple of the senior players remarked how outspoken he was, like he had been around the team for years, whereas many younger players prefer to be quiet and listen and learn,” he said on Tuesday.

“He had a confidence about him in that he wasn’t afraid to ask questions younger players might feel intimidated to do so.

“He just wanted to learn and to listen and to talk and to express himself, and from a leadership perspective that’s all pretty important.”

Buchanan said Clarke’s lack of leadership experience at first-class level would have little bearing, as he would have benefitted from playing alongside Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer, and through his friendship with Shane Warne.

Clarke would have also learned during almost two years in the role as vice-captain under Ponting, Buchanan said.

“Experience is a nice thing to have but it’s a Catch-22, you’ve got to be put in that position before you can get it,” he said.

“He’s always been part and parcel of the decision-making process and he’s been basically anointed by Cricket Australia (as Ponting’s successor), so I don’t think it (the inexperience) makes a scrap of difference.”

Mott said Clarke’s enthusiasm always rubbed off on the Blues’ younger players and that his tactical nous was underrated.

“Tactically he’s very astute. When he comes back to our side he’s a fantastic influence on everyone,” Mott said.

“I’ve always said when he’s around that the fielding session always seems to go through the roof with the energy that he provides and his passion for the game.

“I’m sure he’ll take that into his captaincy and do a great job.”

© AAP 2012

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