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Allan Border believes Michael Clarke's off-field leadership still needs some work. Picture: Brett Costello. Source:News Limited
THERE are three parts to being a cricket captain and Michael Clarke has two of them absolutely nailed.
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The two hardest parts are performing as a batsman and being a shrewd on-field tactician and he gets a double tick for both.
The third one, being an off-field leader, is the easiest of the three, but the one that remains a work in progress.
I can't blame him for taking time to get this one right. I was exactly the same, but the time has come for Michael to take firm control of the side.
It took me a long time to work out that there is more to captaincy than simply walking out with the team.
PICK AUSTRALIA'S BEST ASHES XI HERE
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The turning point for me was the 1989 Ashes Tour, where I made a concerted effort to embrace the full parameters of the job.
If I had three days off on the 1985 tour, I would leave the team for a brief break but, in 1989, I decided to stay with the team and I'm glad I did.
I realised there were little spot fires which could be quickly doused if I was permanently around the team.
Sometimes just being there sent the right message.
Even doing little things such as carrying the drinks or throwing balls in the nets helps because it is the captain setting an example.
There have been some observations about Michael not going to Champions Trophy games when he had a back injury, yet turning up to Shane Warne's charity game.
On the surface this doesn't seem to be a big deal, but with a bit of turmoil going on I don't believe it was a good public relations exercise.
Michael likes to get away and do his own thing and that's fine.
When he had his back injury in India, I think he should have stayed with the team for the last Test rather than return home.
I know Michael will be up for the challenge of being the off-field leader the side needs.
It's on for green and gold as Australia fights to bring home the Ashes, LIVE in HD on Fox Sports. Fox Sports will lead its coverage of each Test with extensive pre-game coverage spearheaded by Allan Border and his former teammates Mark Waugh and Damien Fleming, as well as past Aussie Ashes stars Brendon Julian and Greg Blewett.
- No.2: Botham's Headingley heroics, 1981
- No.3: Edgbaston heartbreak, 2005
- No.4: Waugh's defining moment, 2002/03
- No.5: Thommo's heroic failure, 1982-83
- No.6: Harmison's first-ball shocker, 2006-07
- No.7: Australia's 329-run opening stand, 1989
- No.8: Warne's hat-trick, 1994-95
- No.9: Michael Slater's century, 1993
- No.10: Warne, McGrath, Langer retire, 2006-07
- No.11: Gilchrist's majestic 152, 2001
- No.12: England end 24-year drought, 2010-2011
- No.13: Tugga's twin centuries, 1997
- No.14: Boonie's huge beer haul, 1989
- No.15: KP makes a big statement, 2005
- No.16: Mark Waugh's ton on debut, 1990-91
- No.17: Reid destroys England, 1990-91
- No.18: Siddle's birthday bonanza, 2010-11
- No.19: Gough's hat-trick, 1998-99
- No.20: Tubby's century under fire, 1997
- No.21: Alderman's crash tackle, 1982-83
- No.22: Pigeon takes flight, 2002-03
- No.23: Nasser's toss woes, 2002-03
- No.24: Punter the match-saver, 2005
- No.25: Panesar's batting heroics, 2009
- No.26: Alderman's English mastery, 1981 & 1989
- No.27: Warne's 700th wicket, 2006-07
- No.28: Peter Who? Come in spinner, 1986-87
- No.29: McGrath's magic milestone, 2005
- No.30: Flintoff's fond farewell, 2009
- No.31: David Gower's joyride, 1990-91
- No.32: Flintoff's maiden Ashes ton, 2005
- No.33: Botham's match-winning hundred, 1986-87
- No.34: Gary Pratt's run out, 2005
- No.35: Hussey's Adelaide heroics, 2006-07
I can appreciate that he spends a good deal of time with the team and probably craves the company of other non-cricketing friends after hours, but there are just times when a captain needs to spend extra time with his men.
This could be as simple as going out to dinner with a teammate or taking an interest in what the boys are doing off the field.
Leadership is a broad package and people have different strengths.
Some captains are magnificent leaders of men, but struggle as players. Few people get it all.
The really hard stuff is playing well on the field; the easier part is being the leader. It can be an acquired thing. I found that.
As Australia works at meshing as a unit off the field, I was heartened to hear new coach Darren Lehmann insisting his players spend time in the dressing room after stumps whether they are having a quiet beer or a Coke.
I am a bit of a back-to-the-future man when it comes to team bonding.
Cricket has come a long way with sports science, but I do think it would not hurt the game to occasionally loosen its top button.
If an Australian player is seen drinking in a bar during a Test, it has been seen as an absolute "no no" and he is likely to be instant Twitter fodder.
This is a shame because a few quiet beers after a day's play never hurt anyone and, in fact, spawned many a long lasting friendship.
As I write this, Australia continues to mull over their side and my hope is that when the XI is finalised Ryan Harris makes the cut.
For the last few months I have felt that Australia may need an X Factor to win this series, someone to provide that slice of Terry Alderman-style magic and Harris looks the man most likely to provide it.
He has a fabulous strike rate and, to me, he is a better current option than Peter Siddle, who has some bursts where he produces excellent returns but then goes quiet.
Siddle remains a bit up a down for my liking and his form seems to have regressed since Craig McDermott left as the bowling coach.
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