Give Clarke a chance
Michael Clarke will captain Australia in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney and Tom Fordyce in BBCSport says that while it should feel like the pinnacle of Clarke's career - captaining his country for the first time, in his home town, against the old
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Michael Clarke will captain Australia in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney and Tom Fordyce in BBCSport says that while it should feel like the pinnacle of Clarke's career - captaining his country for the first time, in his home town, against the old enemy in an Ashes Test - it doesn't quite feel like the celebration or the coronation that it should be.
Clarke deserves his opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. At 29 years old he should be ready for the challenge, even if he is currently averaging only 21 and has inherited a side more inexperienced than any Aussie outfit since Taylor's team of late 1995.
Peter Roebuck, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, says Clarke has five days and five weeks to demonstrate he has the qualities needed to captain any cricket team, let alone his country.
Clarke needs to convince colleagues he can carry a team along with him, has to persuade the public he cares, demonstrate to elders he is sufficiently mature and to all and sundry he can stand his ground against high pace. No one has ever doubted his style. Now is the time for substance.
Writing in the Courier Mail, Robert Craddock says that Australian cricket has moved into dangerous territory by appointing a Test captain who has more than his fair share of critics.
Back to the Sydney Morning Herald and Jamie Pandaram says that no cricketer polarises opinion like Australia's 43rd Test captain, Clarke.
Nick Hoult in the Daily Telegraph writes that judging by the swathes of negative comment so far Clarke has a very hostile audience to convince this could be the dawn of a new era.
He has soldiered on through intense pain from a back condition, cut his hair short and thrown away the ear rings of his youth. He never courts controversy, with his comments to the point of banality. He is the working-class kid called Pup who has done very well for himself. He could be about to surprise a nation.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo