BUCHANAN REPLY TO MICHAEL CLARKE COMMENTS

Reacting to Michael Clarke's outburst in the 'Ashes Diary 2015', John Buchanan, the former Australian coach, said that the ex-Australian skipper still had much to learn about leadership.

In the wake of 2015 Ashes defeat, an emotional Clarke announced retirement from all forms of international cricket but received flak from the ex-coach, amongst others, who claimed that the culture of Baggy green was losing its meaning during Clarke's reign.

Players like Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and others really tried to make the Baggy Green culture something special but I could sense it was under threat and under Michael's captaincy I can sense it has disappeared a bit and that disappointed me, Buchanan opined in a television interview ahead of Clarke's final Test at The Oval.

Clarke, in his book published earlier this week, hit back at Buchanan's comments saying that the former coach had been lucky to be at the helm of affairs when Australia had some of the greatest players of the era making it a formidable unit in world cricket.

Buchanan, 62, responded with a post on his website titled 'Michael Clarke showing there is a lot to learn about being a leader and leadership', defending his stand.

"Being a captain, coach, corporate leader is not easy," Buchanan wrote on Saturday (November 21). "Each is driven by a relentless passion to inspire others to succeed. The leadership skills that accompany these roles are demanding and complex.

"The opportunity to continue to learn these skills is always available, and hopefully Michael will continue to take these opportunities as they will be presented in his future life and careers."

Responding to the baggy green comments from Clarke, Buchanan reflected on his role in ensuring that the new players, including the former Australian skipper, received their maiden caps from past legends.

"Michael is indeed correct when he says I never wore the baggy green.

"My first Test as coach was November 1999 the same match in which Adam Gilchrist (381) and Scott Muller (382) made their Test debuts. We ensured that such a moment was very special in the life of a cricketer, and so looked to always have cricket legends present a first cap. In Brisbane that year, it was Bill Brown.

"There were another 17 presentations in my time as coach including Michael Clarkes first baggy green (389) in Bangalore, India, October 2004. Each moment was designed to strengthen the role that the baggy green symbol played in growing the aura of the Australian Cricket team. The debutant had now become part of history, tradition and values, and must honour those responsibilities, he added.

The former coach also suggested that Clarke could pick a thing or two about leadership from Richie McCaw - the recently retired New Zealand rugby captain.

"There would be precious few people around the world who would say that Richie McCaw did not distinguish himself on the field as well as off," he wrote."As captain, he led a team that performed at the highest level with a winning record verging on 90%. As a leader, he inspired all those around him, and all those that followed him and the All Blacks, through his deeds and actions. As a person, he lived and breathed the values and principles of the All Blacks, and ensured the legacy, begun over 100 years ago, was enhanced during the time that he spent in the company of the AB traditions and brand," he added.

© Cricketonline.org

written by ~ CHARITHARDHA