Michael “Pup” Clarke will be top dog of the Australian cricket side for a day after being officially anointed Ricky Ponting’s heir apparent with the Twenty20 captaincy for next Tuesday’s clash with New Zealand.
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Clarke has been handed leadership of Australia’s 12-man squad for the one-off international at the WACA with Ponting and opener Matthew Hayden rested for the Chappell-Hadlee Series warm-up game.
Queensland all-rounder Ashley Noffke and WA’s Adam Voges have also been included in the squad, along with Brad Hodge and Shaun Tait in a five-man pace attack.
It is a unique step by Cricket Australia to thrust Clarke into the captaincy.
Aged 26, he is the third youngest in the squad and has been picked ahead of current vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch today said Clarke was being groomed for the future Test captaincy, and with Gilchrist expected to retire within the next two seasons it was important Australia started preparing for life after the champion wicketkeeper and Ponting.
“Adam is of the view obviously that he would like to captain his country but was also really pleased with the initiative,” said Hilditch.
“It’s important that we have long-term planning moving forward.
“(Clarke) certainly has all the credentials (for Test captaincy). He’s very new to the game so it’s seen as a very good opportunity in a new form of the game to express his own individuality and learn how to lead the side.”
Clarke was stunned when Hilditch told him he would skipper the side in Perth, initially fearing he’d been dropped for the clash.
“I was thinking ‘gee, I hope I’m not going to be dropped’,” said Clarke.
“I was over the moon, I didn’t know what to say.
“It’s the one thing I’ve always wanted to do and dreamt of since I was a kid.”
While Clarke is viewed as Ponting’s long-term replacement, he has little captaincy experience, with his last time in charge three years ago for Australia A.
“I haven’t had any recent experience, so it’s going to be another challenge for me,” Clarke said today.
“I will definitely speak to Ricky and get his help and advice. “There’s a lot of experience in the team and that’s a great thing for me I can turn to those guys and get their help and advice.”
Clarke said he’d used each of his 29 Tests as a captaincy dress rehearsal, with Ponting urging all Australian players to help make on-field decisions.
“There’s one thing Ricky has tried to teach me and that’s treat the game like you are a captain,” he said.
“Work out what decision you’d make and if I’ve got ideas he’s always asked me to approach him and let him know what I think.”
It is a remarkably quick turnaround for Clarke, who just over 12 months ago was left out of the Test side for the opening Ashes clash only to earn a late reprieve when Shane Watson pulled out with a hamstring injury.
Having experienced being dropped, Clarke isn’t about to let this massive endorsement from the selectors lull himself into a false sense of security.
“It’s amazing how things come around I guess, which was unfortunate for Watto but without that injury I might not still be playing Test cricket,” he said.
“I know exactly what it felt like to be dropped and I know exactly what it feels like to get the opportunity to captain my country and I know which position I prefer.
“I will never forget being dropped, I just hope it never happens again.
“It doesn’t matter what the selectors are thinking about my future, if I’m not performing there is no future and I will be back playing club cricket.”
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