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Clarke is no longer laughing at Warner’s antics
Australia Test captain Michael Clarke has admitted that the numerous scandals opening batsman David Warner has been involved in over the past few months has hindered his captaincy.
Clarke’s comments come after Warner was suspended till the first Ashes Test on July 10 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, for punching England’s Joe Root at the Walkabout bar in Birmingham during the recently concluded Champions Trophy.
However, this is the first time Clarke has talked ill about his team-mate as during Warner’s public apology he defended the opener, stating that he still has a bright future and a great chance of leading the national team in the near future.
But, with Clarke taking a new attitude and mentality towards Warner’s actions, two things could happen.
The first being that Clarke gets frustrated and gives up the captaincy, which would take Warner one step closer to his dream, or the other, more likely, option is that Clarke asks the national selectors to drop Warner until he learns how to behave like an adult.
Australia have been in the media spotlight over the past few months, but all of it for the wrong reasons, as in March, four players – Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja – were axed for the third Test against India in Mohali for failing to complete a homework assignment set by then coach Mickey Arthur.
Warner was once again in the media spotlight just over a month ago as he launched a verbal tirade against two News Limited journalists via Twitter.
Clarke was quick to concede that all these embarrassments had taken a drastic toll on his captaincy.
“It certainly has an impact on the leadership,” Clarke told AAP. “There’s no doubt about it.
“I think we as a leadership group need to continue to try and improve. I do believe we have come a long way in regards to the culture of this team and setting up our behaviour standards and what we feel is acceptable and non-acceptable. As captain of this team I don’t shy away from any accountability.”
With Clarke suffering from yet another bout of back pains, his influence over the team has drastically diminished and it was proven the night that Warner decided to punch Root.
However, many of the younger players seem to have lost their respect for Clarke as well, especially Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Phillip Hughes and Clint McKay, all of whom were drinking at the Walkabout bar at 2.30am.
“To be out at that hour…carrying on like we were celebrating [after a loss] – especially with the opposition – is not the right time or place to be having a few drinks,” Clarke said. “I know that I need to continue to work on my leadership and make sure I’m doing everything I can in my power for things like this not to happen.
“Because it not only has an impact on Dave, it has an impact on the team, it has an impact on our supporters. The people that come and watch and support our great game. We don’t want to be letting anyone down. We’ve got enough to focus on on the field to become the best team we can be. And we definitely don’t need these distractions off the field.”