Image courtesy of: The Australian
Clarke and Haddin both see no problems brewing within the team
Despite all the controversies Australia have endured over the last couple of months and former coach Mickey Arthur’s private legal documents recently being leaked, captain Michael Clarke has announced that there is no doubt in his mind that the national team are a united and cohesive unit.
Clarke admitted that the team have had their fair share of problems during Arthur’s regime, but added that everyone has agreed to let bygones by bygones.
While Arthur’s leaked documents claimed that Clarke saw all-rounder Shane Watson as “a cancer” on the team or that Watson had told Arthur about opening batsman David Warner punching England’s Joe Root at the Walkabout bar in Birmingham during the Champions Trophy, Clarke stated that the team are still as loyal to each other and committed as ever.
“I can’t remember for a long time the team being as united as we are right now,” Clarke said. “And no coincidence Darren’s played a big part in that. I think him as a man and a gentleman brings that to the forefront. He was a great guy to play with, and he’s no different as a coach. He loves having a good time, loves us enjoying our cricket and he was really proud, as I was, about the way we played over the past five days.
“The most important thing is that we as a team are as focused as we can be on Thursday. We’ve obviously got a huge game in front of us, the boys are feeling great. As we showed in the last Test match we’re here to fight and do as well as we possibly can in this Test series. Nothing will get in the way of the team harmony at the moment. The feeling around the camp is magnificent. The feeling’s what you want it to be around the Australian cricket team.”
The timing of Arthur’s documents and the leakage of it sparked harsh criticism from the Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive, Paul Marsh, who noted that Clarke was dealing with the bigger problem of being 2-0 down in the ongoing Ashes series.
“For me right now it is ‘be focused on what’s in front of me, not what’s behind me’,” Clarke said. “Decisions have been made and made for reasons. We’ve got a fantastic group with a great coach who has united us, and we’re heading in the right direction. It makes no difference to me … my eyes are focused on one goal, and that’s winning this Test match. I know everybody in that change-room’s exactly the same. Boys have trained well today, come and train tomorrow.”
Clarke’s right-hand man, Brad Haddin, also believes that the team are as “united” and “focused” as ever.
“We’ve been going in the right direction since day one of the tour,” he said. “My stance hasn’t changed. Disappointing result in first Test. Nice to get close but we want to win. I’m comfortable with where things are. Love to see a couple of guys names on the board and get a win here. Don’t think that brought us tighter. The group has been fine since day one of the tour.
“Since I’ve been back everything has been fine. Day one was exciting and that hasn’t changed. DL has done a wonderful job like all staff and players. Ashes is as good as it gets. All the other stuff is white noise. It hasn’t affected the side. Darren Lehmann is the coach of Australia. That won’t change. We’re here to play an Ashes campaign, and our job is to get on with this.”