Clarke's growth as a leader

Michael Clarke's captaincy has already yielded solid results for Australia at home and in the Caribbean. However, Richard Hinds in Sydney Morning Herald highlights that it is Clarke's unbridled support towards Brad Haddin that marks his growth as a leader.

Clarke's loyalty to Haddin might seem straightforward, indeed compulsory for any decent leader. Still, it provides another indication of how quickly and comfortably Clarke has grown into the captaincy.

The other, more compelling, sign of Clarke's leadership is his intuitive stewardship. The kudos Ricky Ponting received in his early days as captain was the consequence of results achieved by a stellar squad. Clarke seems to have a more profound influence on what happens on the field.