Published: Oct 26, 2016, 12:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 26, 2016, 12:12 PM (IST)
Cricket Australia (CA)’s head of high performance Pat Howard has come out in support of coach Darren Lehmann in defending the team culture and structure after some heavy criticism which came in form of former skipper, Michael Clarke. Clarke’s recently-released autobiography continued to hog the limelight in the lead up to Australia‘s summer with series against South Africa and Pakistan. Both Lehmann and Howard were in his sights for their role in the team during his stint as captain. ALSO READ: Former Australian cricketer Brett Geeves opens up on horrible team culture, Michael Clarke and more
According to Cricket Australia, Clarke claims he “was moved down the food chain” in the latter years of his captaincy, and pointed to Howard’s background in rugby as a point of contention.
Howard spoke to Clarke and satated he had no issue with the former skipper airing his views, adding that their disagreements in the summer of 2014-15 – highlighted by Clarke in his book – ended in a World Cup triumph at the MCG.
And Howard also dismissed any concerns about the culture of the current Australian team.
“(Clarke) gave us forewarning that’s what he was going to write and to be fair to him, that’s what he believed at the time. That’s totally fine. You get a few retirements, you’re going to get a few books and you’re going to get a version of events. We’re very relaxed by it … I disagree obviously. He had full control over the areas he had control over and as I said to him, we ended in a World Cup victory and it was a pretty good outcome. I understand his view, but obviously at times we disagree and that’s absolutely fine”, stated Howard.
“(This year) I was in Sri Lanka, I was in West Indies before that, I was in South Africa; the team is getting on very well, even with some tough results in that time. I’m very happy with the way the guys get on together, it’s very strong. I haven’t got any concerns in that space at all”, confirmed Howard.
Clarke was even harsh on his former coach and senior pro Lehmann for having too much control over the team since his arrival in 2013, partway through Clarke’s time as captain. ALSO READ: Simon Katich says relationship with Michael Clarke “non-existent”
“There are a million and one things they have taken away from the captain so that I can focus on what happens on the field, but I want those things! I was not expecting to be moved down the food chain, halfway through my captaincy. It is late in my life to accept such a sweeping change to the system … Pat Howard comes from rugby where the coach runs everything, so he doesn’t see a problem. In rugby, the captain is the boss on the field and the coach is the boss off the field. Simple. But that’s not the way I see the game”, wrote Clarke.
However, Lehmann denied he had too much influence on the team and said he still had a good relationship with Clarke, despite the criticism.
“It’s still good, I get on with him fine. I always worked really close with Pup and Steven (Smith). They are the ones in the heat of the battle out there. They have to have exactly what they want and need, that’s all we do as support staff, make sure they get exactly what they want and need. All you try to do is prepare them more and be a sounding board, you can’t make decisions out on the ground because that is the captain’s role. For power, I don’t think that is the case at all but everyone is entitled to their opinion”, concluded Lehmann.
